Sealed with a kiss
Couple 70 years wed
Lanarkshire care home residents have celebrated their platinum jubilee wedding anniversary.
Davie Hunter, 93, and wife Margaret, 89, marked 70 years of “blissful” marriage on March 31, with a celebration like no other at Renaissance Care’s Rosepark Care Home in Uddingston.
The couple, who met 71 years ago while working in the Schweppes factory, were fussed over by staff and local businesses which donated balloons, banners and a three-tier cake, much to the astonishment of the love birds.
Davie and Margaret’s wedding, back in 1951, took place in Balornock Chapel and was ‘perfectly modest’ with a reception at Margaret’s mum’s house, costing all of £25.
Although the pair are still “very much smitten” with each other, Margaret and Davie, were unable to share the secret of their long and successful marriage, putting it down to simply “just liking each other” and “having a laugh”.
Davie has always made his wife laugh and Margaret remembers in their courting days that he would stay behind after his shift to sweettalk her, resulting in him missing his bus home to Yoker almost every night.
He recalled: “Her granny used to say, ‘that poor boy’ because I was always missing the bus and having to cycle all the way home just so I could stay and talk to Margaret..”
Margaret and Davie have two children and say that he last 70 years have flown in and that standing at the alter, where they were joined by Margaret’s sister, Tilly, as maid of honour and Davie’s brother, Tommy, as best man “feels like yesterday”.
The couple, who raised their family in Cumbernauld, moved into Rosepark in January following a family decision that Margaret would be better off being looked after by qualified care and nursing staff.
Since becoming residents, they have become close with staff, who ensured that their platinum jubilee wedding anniversary would receive the celebration it deserved.
The three-tier cake, topped with edible flowers, was donated by Special Days Cakes and the balloons were kindly gifted by Happy Ever Laughter, based in Hamilton.
Rosepark’s activity co-ordinator, Annette Frew, and colleagues at the Uddingston home gathered pictures of the couple to create a backdrop for a three-course meal prepared especially by the home’s chefs.
Annette told Lanarkshire Live: “Davie and Margaret are a really wonderful couple.
“They are always having fun together and are the perfect example of soulmates.
“Both are full of character and never cease to get us all laughing away.
“We love making a fuss of our residents here at Rosepark Care Home, and a platinum wedding anniversary is more than cause for a celebration.
“I would like to say a big thank you Special Days Cakes and Happy Ever Laughter for their kind donations; we couldn’t have made it as special without you.”
Margaret added: “We still love each other as much as the day we met.
“The past 70 years have been absolute bliss with Davie – he is my best friend, and I can’t wait to enjoy more times like these together at Rosepark.
“It was so kind for the staff and the local shops to think of us and make our day by showering us with such generous gifts and surprises – we can’t thank everyone enough.”
The 70 years have been bliss with Davie – he’s my best friend