Anniversary couple’s pure gold memories

A Caldercruix golden couple who first met while working together as teenagers in a town centre shop are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Harry and Agnes McKee both had their first jobs at Woolworths on Graham Street in Airdrie. And after three years together, they were married at Coatdyke registry office on August 27, 1970.

Their original plans to mark their big day with a cruise and a celebration with dozens of family and friends had to be revised – so the generous couple instead arranged to have afternoon tea delivered to all of their intended golden wedding guests on the day of the planned event.

Harry said: “We worked together in Woolworths at Airdrie cross when we were 15 – I always had to sweep the floor wearing a brown coat, which didn’t do much for my street cred!

“We had been planning to have everyone to the Tudor Hotel for our golden wedding, but when we weren’t able to do that, we ordered afternoon teas from a catering company in Caldercruix and had them all delivered to our family and all the guests instead.”

Born and brought up at Roughcraig Street in Airdrie, Harry attended Chapelside Primary and Airdrie High.

He spent nearly four decades working as an ambulance technician based in Coatbridge, retiring from his job just three months ago – and said: “I still remember delivering my first baby about two months into the job, so they’ll be 38 this year.”

Agnes, nee Brogan, attended St Mary’s Primary and St David’s Secondary in her home village of Caldercruix.

Following that first job in Woolworths, she spent several years as an assembly worker at the Pye factory in Airdrie before raising the family. She later worked as an auxiliary at Monklands Hospital for many years until returning a decade ago.

The happy couple have two children, Stephen and Sharon, and seven grandchildren, with all their family living locally and

Harry adding: “We used to have all the grandchildren here every morning before school – it would get pretty busy!”

Harry is a former president of Glengowan Bowling Club and now plays at Springwells in Airdrie while Agnes is a member of the congregation at St Mary’s Church in their home village, where she has lived all her life.

Both enjoy annual cruise holidays and have travelled to dozens of destinations across the Mediterranean and Caribbean together during their happy halfcentury together.

Harry revealed the secret of their long and happy marriage: “It’s all about come and go, and learning to compromise. We grew up together – we were married at 18 and are still together at 68, so we’ve grown up together over the years and just mould to each other.”

Agnes and Harry marked their golden wedding day with a meal together and hope to be able to enjoy a celebratory holiday abroad near year.

Golden couple Harry and Agnes McKee were married in 1970