Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
60- YEAR WAITE
Surprise party for Andy and May’s diamond anniversary
Diamond couple May and Andy Waite had a special surprise celebration to mark their 60th wedding anniversary.
The residents of Milton Court were treated to a party in the shared community room at the Airdrie tower block – which is a designated community for over-60s – attended by around 40 relatives, neighbours and friends.
May said: “It was a lovely surprise, we didn’t know anything about it and weren’t expecting anything like that.
“Our daughters had arranged a party in the amenity room in the building, with lots of our neighbours and friends there and a lovely buffet.
“They’d said we were going out for something to eat and when we got downstairs, the concierge had a story about how someone in the amenity room had been looking for me. When we went in, the lights were off and then suddenly everyone was there and surprising us.
“It was a really nice occasion. Some people gave us gifts, which we weren’t expecting – so we’ve given that to charity, split between Cancer Research and Macmillan who we do fundraising for here at Milton Court.”
Their 60th anniversary celebrations also included an overnight stay with family at Dunblane Hydro.
May and Andy first met at Airdrie Palais, in what was a chance meeting. May explained: “I never usually came to Airdrie as I went to the dancing in Glasgow. But one week my pal talked me into coming to the Palais instead. I met Andy and that was us.”
The happy couple were married on February 16, 1957, at Rhinsdale Church in May’s original home area of Baillieston, and have lived in Airdrie since, including at Chapel Street and Black Street. As well as daughters Moyra and Fiona, they have two grandchildren.
Andy, 86, is originally from Chapelhall. He worked at Honeywell and as a foreman at Terex during his career while May, 83, had a part-time post at the Venetian Blinds Centre.
Both are members of the Park Church congregation and were previously members of Springwells and Central bowling clubs as well as playing the indoor version of the sport for more than 40 years.
May and Andy also respectively volunteered with local Girls’ and Boys’ Brigade companies for many years.
They were presented with a bouquet of flowers to mark their anniversary by North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue, who was visiting Milton Court – in his Airdrie Central ward – to find out about recent improvements to the tower including landscaping works and a new 30-space car park.
Milton Court was designated in 2014 as a dedicated community for over60s, after housing officials found that three in five of its tenants were already over that age and that it was one of two towers in North Lanarkshire which had “highest waiting list pressure” from applicants of that age.
Councillor Logue said: “It’s been great to hear about Mr and Mrs Waite’s positive experience and to have the opportunity to congratulate them on their diamond wedding.
“We’re continuing to invest in our towers and improve the lives of residents. Our tower strategy aims to improve safety and security, ensure they’re maintained and that the blocks and common areas are effectively and efficiently managed.”
May said: “We’ve lived here for 10 years and it’s wonderful. It’s a great place for older people to live and there’s a real sense of community.”