Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
‘Brilliant couple’ shine at anniversary celebration
Janette and George mark 60 years of wedded bliss
Airdrie couple Janette and George Clark enjoyed a sparkling celebration as they marked their diamond wedding anniversary.
They celebrated six happy decades of marriage with a blessing at New Wellwynd Church and a family get together, as well as a surprise visit from North Lanarkshire provost Jean Jones and depute lord lieutenant Derrick Hannan.
Whinhall residents Janette and George, both 80, first met when they shared a coffee at the Kings Café on Clark Street.
They were engaged in May 1959 and married six months later at the old Wellwynd church, on November 27 1959.
Janette, nee Chapman, grew up in Whinhall and attended Victoria and Airdrie Central schools.
She worked as a machine operator at e l e c t r i c a l components firm Telcon in Chapelhall, and later as a home help in Airdrie.
George was born in Greengairs and attended primary school both there and at Glengowan in Caldercruix, as well as Airdrie Central school.
After completing two years’ national service in the
Scots Guards before getting married, he went on to work at a brickworks in Drumbathie and then spent many years as a roads foreman for Airdrie burgh, before becoming a Provident representative and later finishing his working life as a driver.
George was also an elected member of Monklands District Council, serving as a
Conservative councillor in the 1970s.
They started their married life at North Bridge Street in Airdrie, then moved to what was Janette’s childhood home in Whinhall, where they have lived for more than 45 years.
Provost Jones and Depute Lieutenant Hannan visited them there the day before their anniversary to present them with a card and certificate from the Queen, plus gifts and a card on behalf of the councillors and people of North Lanarkshire.
Janette and George have two daughters – Janet and Margaret – plus four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Both have been members of Caldercraig bowling club in Airdrie and are members of New Wellwynd Church, where
George was an elder. They celebrated their diamond wedding by having a blessing at the church led by Reverend Robbie Hamilton, followed by a meal at the nearby Tudor Hotel with 18 family and friends.
Proud daughter Janet Nimmo said: “They’re so funny and keep us all going. They’re a brilliant couple and absolutely love it when we all get together.”