French connection for local Diamond couple
A loved-up Causewayhead couple celebrated six decades of marriage with their nearest and dearest in the south of France.
Helen and Robert Armstrong were married in Plean Parish Church on June 1 1957.
And they jetted off to sunnier climes to mark the special milestone in style with their daughter Joyce and her family in Marseille.
The doting duo, who met during a dance at the Albert Halls, also have a son Stewart, who lives in Norfolk, along with four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
And after returning home from a sunshine break in the picturesque port city, Helen (79) said:“We enjoyed the weather – it was exceptionally hot – and we went out for a nice meal.
“It was also my husband’s 85th birthday while we were there so we had double reason to celebrate.”
Helen, who spent most of her career working for the health board, reckons one of the key elements to their long and happy marriage is the things they share in common.
“We both like music – my husband is a big fan of jazz – and we enjoy going out for meals. We try to get out to see our family as much as we can – so we’re often either in Norfolk or the south of France.
“We do a lot of things together and we do agree on most things.”
Robert worked as a grocer at the old D&J MacEwen in Stirling for many years before moving into the licence trade where he spent many years.
Recalling the day they first met, Helen added:“I remember we were both at the dance. I was with my friends. He was in uniform as he had been out with the Territorial Army.”
She joked:“I was hiding behind a pillar and he kept coming up to me to pester me. And then afterwards he kept calling me at the office asking me out. Eventually I agreed and that’s how it all started.
“A couple of years later we were engaged, then we were married, and then we had two children. It has been nice looking back on everything.”