A glowing diamond couple loved an extra-special festive season as they marked their sixtieth wedding ceremony anniversary shortly earlier than the Bells.
Madge and Chick McMurtrie celebrated six blissful a long time of marriage on December 29, surrounded by relations as they loved a meal close to their Chapelhall residence.
In addition they grew to become one of many first couples to obtain a card from King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla, congratulating them on their particular milestone.
Chick and Madge have lived in Chapelhall for greater than 50 years, ever since shifting again residence to Scotland following a four-year journey to Canada with their younger household.
The couple are proud mother and father of daughters Isabel and Lesley, and now have 5 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren – with one other addition to the rising household tree due in Might.
Having been a part of the identical friendship group as they respectively grew up within the neighbouring Argyll cities of Rosneath and Garelochhead, they grew to become a pair as younger teenagers after assembly at a restaurant within the space.
Madge, nee MacDonald, mentioned: “Chick was one of many crowd and all of us used to satisfy up collectively within the cafe; we’d by no means drink something as we’d solely have one glass of Coke between all of us!”
They had been married at Garelochhead Parish Church on a snowy day in December 1962, and travelled to Largs for his or her honeymoon earlier than returning residence to have fun Hogmanay as newlyweds with their households and pals.
After welcoming their two youngsters, the household emigrated to Ontario, the place they lived within the picturesque city of Niagara on the Lake, with Chick working as an engineer and Madge taking up resort work.
She mentioned: “At the moment the Canadian authorities used to promote for individuals to go over, and one in all our shut pals had gone out to stay in Hamilton, Ontario.
“All of us used to exit to the doorways to see individuals away on a giant journey, and I keep in mind saying as we did that, ‘why don’t we go?’ – and that was us!
“It was a terrific expertise and we nonetheless have pals in Canada; the place we lived was on the nook of Niagara River and Lake Ontario and we actually beloved it; we’re glad we went however had been additionally blissful to maneuver residence.”
The couple first moved to Chapelhall on coming back from Canada with engineer Chick discovering work at Coatbridge packaging agency Learn Corrugated Instances, the place he labored for greater than 20 years.
He had labored at Helensburgh boatyard Silvers previous to emigrating, whereas Madge had a publish at that city’s police workplace and after settling in Monklands, labored at Watt’s Tyres in Brownsburn.
Each are members of Airdrie Bowling Membership and have shared a love of journey and holidays all through their marriage, with Tenerife being a selected favorite vacation spot over time.
Madge mentioned: “We settled in Chapelhall the minute we arrived – it’s a terrific wee place the place a lot goes on, everyone is so beneficiant and anyone coming right here is so welcome.”
She mentioned of the couple’s lengthy and blissful marriage: “We simply sailed alongside; someone mentioned once we obtained married that you just shouldn’t fall asleep on an argument and we’ve saved that and have by no means had any hassle.”
Daughter Lesley, who was among the many many relations serving to make sure the diamond anniversary celebrations went with a swing for the particular couple, added: “The success of their marriage is a number of love and laughter.”
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