Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
A SPECIAL 60
John and Margaret look back on their diamond journey
A much-travelled Monklands couple will celebrate their diamond wedding tomorrow.
John and Margaret Henderson, of Stand, reach the landmark 60 years after they were married in Cumbernauld Parish Church on November 3, 1956.
John, 84, and 80-year-old Margaret have lived in Stand for almost all of their married life and raised two children, Lorna, 55 and William, 53.
But being a couple of homebirds didn’t stop the Hendersons from spreading their wings.
Margaret told the Advertiser of trips they took caravanning around Europe, as well as driving across the United States.
She said: “We loved going away as a family and saw so many beautiful countries.
“Holland, France, Switzerland, Germany... it was wonderful and so interesting.
“We’ve been to America half- adozen times, too.
“Travelling has given us so many stories — the problem for John is getting someone to listen to them!”
Husband John recalled one memorable journey in particular.
He said: “We drove from Chicago to Seattle — 2000 miles in just 10 days.
“Driving cross-country in an old mobile Cutlass was one thing but the best part was stopping and meeting the people in towns and cities along the way.
“We had to work hard to go but that’s why you do it — you only get one life, so you have to enjoy it.”
John had his own joinery business and built homes across the central belt.
Margaret worked alongside her husband, taking care of the finances.
And although they worked together, they also spent a lot of their spare time in each other’s company at Airdrie Golf Club, where Margaret was also club captain.
In 1981, John was one of 12 golfers chosen to represent Scotland during the Amateur Home International at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s, winning several matches.
The golf-crazy couple have enjoyed a wonderful marriage — and John says he wouldn’t hesitate to do it all again.
He beamed: “I married a very good woman.
“If the world was full of Margaret Hendersons, then it would be a better place.
“She’s never forgot where she came from and never wanted the moon.”
Margaret added: “We’ve had our ups and downs, like every couple, but I wouldn’t change it. We’ve had a good life.
“We met at my aunt’s birthday party. I remember being very pleased he came up and spoke to me.
“It’s all about give and take and we’ve always got on well.”
The lovebirds are off for a celebratory break this weekend with their children and four grandchildren.