Jean and Jimmy Thomson celebrate diamond wedding anniversary

But she and husband Jimmy have just celebrated 60 happy years together.

And their home in Deanbrae, Forth, was filled with cards and flowers from early morning.

The couple were sweethearts long before they married.

They met at the dancing in Newbigging when Jean was just 13, and the path to romance flowed smoothly.

They got engaged on her 16th birthday, married in Carnwath Church on her 18th birthday, and their son was born on her 21st birthday.

Now Jimmy is 83 and Jean 78, but they both clearly enjoy each other’s company, laughing easily together.

Their children Jimmy and Sheena are grown up, and they have grandchildren Bethany (8) and Fraser (10).

“We’re very proud of our family,” added Jean.

Jean has been the Gazette’s Forth correspondent for over 30 years, but the couple are generally retired although still interested in the life of the village.

Jimmy spent his working life as an HGV driver, much of it for Tennant , while Jean worked in shops in Forth and in Marshall’s shoe shop in Lanark.

Jimmy also has a long history of voluntary work, including driving for the WRVS and leading walking groups with Healthy Valleys. He has given that up officially, but reckons when the weather is better he might be out and about walking again, and people will be welcome to join him!

In the meantime, he has his garden, and Jean is known for her baking!