And Archie and Jeanette Yardley have now celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

The couple met in Uddingston through a cousin of Jeanette in 1956 and, after many dates in Glasgow, they got engaged five years later and were married in the city in 1963. 

Archie and Jeanette, who live in East Kilbride, went on to have four children – David, Alan and twins Colin and Dawn – who have now given them grandchildren Jade, Alex, Emma, Jordan, Alfie, Shelby and Charlie as well as a great-grandson, Oliver.

Archie worked in various jobs including in the fire service, as a safety officer and as a storeman at the old Nautical College in Glasgow, where he retired at 65. He then went on to work part time at Homebase and only retired when the store closed… when he was 80 years old. 

Jeanette took a break from work to bring up the family and then returned to work when the children reached high school age, working as a school secretary until she retired at 60. 

Archie enjoys entertaining and sings Scottish songs in pubs and clubs around Glasgow and, latterly, in care homes, while Jeanette is an active member of the Guild and also enjoys crosswords and knitting for charity. 

Although South Lanarkshire Provost Margaret Cooper was unable to join Archie and Jeanette to celebrate their anniversary, she did send her best wishes to the couple at their home, where Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Alison Plummer visited to offer his congratulations on their 60th anniversary. The couple were presented with flowers, a special bottle of wine and a certificate from the council on behalf of the Provost, while Deputy Lord Lieutenant Plummer represented the King and presented a certificate to mark their wonderful achievement.

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