DIAMOND DAYS
Gerald and Florence celebrate 60th wedding anniversary
A meeting at Johnstone Town Hall more than 60 years ago has certainly resulted in a special sparkle today.
That’s because Gerald and Florence Brines, of Paisley’s Foxbar, have just celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, surrounded by the family they have founded.
It was at a dance at the town hall 63 years ago that the couple first set eyes on each other.
Said Mr Brines, 81: “It was a Saturday night.
“Then, the men used to stand at one side of the hall and the women at the other, and you walked across and you asked a girl to dance.
“And if she didn’t dance with you, she couldn’t get up with anyone else.
“So she had to get up and dance with me.”
Mrs Brines, 79, added: “What he did say to me at the end of the night was: ‘Do you want to grab your coat?’ “I said: ‘Pardon!?’ “He said: “Can I walk you home?”
And the answer from the young Florence was ‘yes’, and soon the young couple – an engineer and a mill worker – were courting.
“We went to the pictures the following night,” Mrs Brines recalled.
Mr Brines added: “It was Ghengis Khan with John Wayne.
“I remember it quite well. He was one of my favourites, John Wayne.”
And there was no doubt in Mr Brines’ mind that Florence was the girl for him.
He said: “I was only going out with her for about three months, without exaggerating, and I decided I was going to marry her.”
But the young Gerald kept shtum and didn’t pop the question until some time later.
“It was a year before we got married,” he said.
“Where I popped the question was up in the Gleniffer Braes.
“We were out for a walk, it was a Sunday.”
Four children – Gerald, 59, Florence, 57, Thomas, 56, and Edna, 53 – followed. And they in turn were followed by nine grandchildren, and eight greatgrandchildren.
Mrs Brines put the success of her long and happy marriage down to being easygoing with each other.
“We come and go with one another,” she said.
“We see one another’s point of view.”
Mr Brines added: “I’ve never argued with her. Maybe we’ve had a few mild debates.
“I always give in to her.”