Kilsyth couple celebrate 60 years of marriage

Bert, originally from Twechar, met Anne in the early 1950s.

Bert said: “I was out for a walk with some friends on the toll road, it was what young people did back then, and we met Anne and some of her friends. We went to Lizzie’s Cafe and got talking to each other, and that was how it all started.”

The couple wed on June 5, 1954 at the Parish Church in Kilsyth. It was a lovely sunny day and the ceremony was performed by Reverend Miller. Bert was 21 years old and Anne was just 19.

The ring Bert gave to Anne has a story all of its own which suggests Bert and Anne were destined for one another.

Bert’s uncle, William Bell, was a miner who was killed in a fall. Anne’s grandmother was a neighbour of the Bells and helped prepare the body for the funeral. In gratitude, the Bells presented her with the ring which was then passed down the family.

Bert did a stint of national service in the Army but spent most of his working life as a roads engineer, working on resurfacing and similar jobs. When he retired in 1993 he was a storeman with JG McGregor, a job he greatly enjoyed.

The couple have a large family with three sons, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Over the years travel has been a great pleasure for the Bells, who have enjoyed many wonderful holidays together including trips to Florida and Canada.

Anne’s health is not what it was so she now lives in Craig En Goyne care home, but the family home is nearby and Bert visits her twice each day.

Bert added: “The staff helped us celebrate the anniversary by preparing a special room for Anne and giving us cake and bubbly.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to the staff and owners of Craig en Goyne, they take excellent care of Anne and are very warm and friendly. The place is a godsend.”