A Wishaw couple are set to become the Golden Gracie’s after celebrating 50 years of marriage.
Thomas and Rose Helen Gracie will be celebrating their golden wedding on April 12.
Tam and Rose Helen were married on that date in1971 in St Ignatius Church in Wishaw after seeing each other by chance on Greenhead Road and arranging to meet later in the Crown Hotel.
The rest, as they say, is history.
They have three children, Louise Anne, Keith and Donna, and three grandchildren Lauren, Lucy and Aidan.
Speaking to Lanarkshire Live this week, Donna said: “Myself and my brother and sister will be going along to their home this weekend so we can have a wee celebration.
“The only thing they have asked for is a cake, so I’m sure we will be able to sort that for them!
“Bigger celebrations will be held when permitted in their second home at the Houldsworth Bowling Club, with close family and friends wishing them well, and where drinks will be sure to flow.
“My dad’s a keen bowler. He loves it up there and we’ve always had our big family celebrations there.”
In their working life, Tam worked as a coach trimmer with Stewart’s Coachworks in Wishaw. Rose Helen worked for Tunnock’s for 40 years, working her way up to become a supervisor.
“Mum’s job was brilliant,” said Donna. “We were brought up on teacakes and biscuits!”
During the lockdown the happy couple have kept themselves busy by walking and gardening.
And Donna hopes once restrictions are lifted they can get back to doing what they love best.
She added: “Mum retired a couple of years ago and has enjoyed getting out walking.
“Dad loves his garden so that’s kept him going.
“Both of them have just been trying to keep well and get on with things as best they can.
“Every Easter we would go up to the caravan up in Crail so once restrictions are lifted we can hopefully get up there.
“We just want mum and dad to enjoy their golden day, we hope it is as special as you two.
“We wish you many happy years together surrounded by your loving family and friends.”
Making the news in April 1971, when Tam and Rose Helen got married, included the Rolling Stones who released their latest album Sticky Fingers and ‘ping-pong diplomacy’ began when China sent an invitation to the US national table tennis team to visit as the first Americans to be invited to the mainland China since the Communist government had taken over in 1949.
The first space station in Earth’s history, Salyut 1, was launched by the Soviet Union while future Dr Who David Tennant was born.
