Twin-credible
Identical sisters share golden wedding
Identical twins Allyson and Wendy McInnes, who walked down the aisle together to marry their sweethearts 50 years ago, have returned to Halfway after enjoying a Russian cruise to celebrate their joint golden wedding anniversary.
A fresh-faced John Kerr was behind the counter of an ice cream van in a Drumchapel street in the late 1960s when pretty young Allyson approached the window and asked for a cone.
When sister Wendy went to the van to place her order, John – who was oblivious to the fact that they were twins – mistook her for Allyson.
“We were very alike back then and, when John carried on the conversation we’d had before, Wendy looked at him like he was daft,” recalls Allyson.
“He told the driver that the next person that came to the van, he would ask her out. He did. And it was me.
“He took me to a posh restaurant in Glasgow. Yes, he was quite handsome – 6ft with a beard and a moustache.
“He was quite shy. I suppose I knew right away that he was the one for me.”
Meanwhile, twin sister Wendy had already met her match after being invited to a Scouts dance in the Forsyth Memorial Church in Govanhill – the area where the girls grew up. Wendy accepted an invitation to dance with a young man named Bert Reid, who then asked to walk her home.
The couple’s first date was at the local picture house.
After five years, they became engaged.
Bert and John – whose birthdays are only three days apart – became close friends through the girls.
And when the sisters’ parents, Alistair and Nett, learned that both their girls were intending to marry, they suggested a joint ceremony at Forsyth Memorial Church and the two couples agreed.
On March 9, 1968, 20-year-olds Allyson and Wendy walked down the aisle with their proud dad, in identical bridal dresses lovingly handmade by mum, Nett.
They said ‘I do’ to John and Bert, both 21, and the new Mr and Mrs Kerr and Mr and Mrs Reid enjoyed a fabulous reception with friends and family.
Between them, Allyson and John, of Mill Road, Halfway, and Wendy and Bert, of nearby Conan Court, now have three sons, a daughter, 11 grandchildren and two great grandsons.
Asked what the secret is to a long and happy marriage, 71-year-old Wendy replied: “Patience, tolerance, friendship and understanding, and getting to know each other’s little idiosyncrasies.”
The two couples celebrated their joint 50th wedding anniversary with a 14-day cruise around the Balkan countries, including a visit to St Petersburg.
Closer to home, they enjoyed the atmosphere and shared happy memories at South Lanarkshire Council’s headquarters in Hamilton. They met other couples from all parts of the county who also married in 1968.
The annual event is hosted alternately by the North and South Lanarkshire authorities and guests were welcomed on this occasion by South Lanarkshire’s Provost Ian McAllan, in the company of his northern counterpart, Provost Jean Jones.
Provost McAllan said: “There is no one formula for a happy marriage – every one is unique and there are different difficulties and joys that each couple faces along the way.
“What we saw at this event, however, is what is the same truth for all: that it is all about finding that one person who is for you and, with that perfect pairing, a bond is formed that is unshakeable.
“It was a delight to see that in so many couples and each one of them has my admiration and my congratulations.”
In the case of one couple, the venue was certainly familiar ground.
Among those celebrating 50 years of marriage this year were South Lanarkshire Council’s leader, Councillor John Ross and his wife, Irene.