In 1960 they met on the way down to Morecombe for completely different Glasgow Fair summer holidays.

Harry said: “Everything just seemed to click from the first. We got on so well that I asked her to go to Blackpool for the day to see a family friend.

“Little did either of us know at the time that my parents would be there as their ferry to Ireland was cancelled.

“So, Nan’s first day out with me ended with her meeting my parents. That was in 1960 but we are still together so everything worked out well from the start.”

They got engaged the following year and were married in Springburn Parish church on 4 October 1962.

And to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary they were visited at their home in Mossneuk, East Kilbride, by South Lanarkshire Provost Margaret Cooper, who presented the couple with flowers, a special bottle of whisky and a certificate on behalf of the council. And joining her was Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Lanarkshire Fazal Llahi Bukhsh, who also presented them with a certificate to mark their achievement.

The couple started off married life in Govanhill, moving to Castlemilk and finally East Kilbride in the mid 70’s, firstly to a brand-new house in Greenhills, as part of the Glasgow overspill policy.

Before downsizing to their present home, they moved to a larger house in East Kilbride. Their son Alan was born in 1963 with Diane coming along in 1967. Everyone still lives in the town with four grandsons and three great granddaughters now added to the family.

Harry worked for Glasgow District Council and held various clerical roles before moving to Strathclyde Regional Council, where he remained in various managerial roles until Local Government Reorganisation in 1996 when he took early retirement to become a full-time carer to Nan following a series of strokes.

Nan had various clerical/office positions in Glasgow before spending the remainder of her working life employed by Glasgow District Council in the City Chambers as part of the Councillors Secretariat.

Harry is still an enthusiastic football supporter and enjoys a bit of banter with his grandson Craig and niece Anne. He is also a very keen golfer, still playing twice a week with friends.

Nan was a keen churchgoer and member of Greenhills, then Mossneuk Parish Church. She is a member of the Happy Circle Stroke Club meeting weekly, where Harry helps run it. Harry was recently presented with a medal, badge and certificate for 20 years’ service by the Royal Voluntary Service.

The couple still enjoy holidays and socialising with friends and family. They really enjoy their trips to Revitalise Sandpiper in Southport and Revitalise Leuchie, House North Berwick, where they both enjoy some well-earned respite care.

If you would like the Provost to attend a Diamond Wedding or 100th birthday please get in touch with the Provost’s Office.