Couple celebrate 70 years

Acouple celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary have revealed the secret to a long-lasting marriage – never sleep on an argument.

John, known as Jack, and Rhoda Jamieson tied the knot 70 years ago at Trinity Church in Aberdeen, after meeting at the Beach Ballroom three years earlier.

Jack, who was 21 and working as a warehouseman at the time, was “attracted to Rhoda’s slim figure and lovely smile”.

“It wasn’t exactly love at first sight,” Jack said jokingly. “Rhoda and I were with friends and I was after her chum.

“We didn’t like one another at the time but love blossomed.”

Seventeen-year-old Rhoda was a shop assistant when the pair met and loved Jack’s personality and sense of humour. The couple marked the milestone at their home on Friday.

Although they would have loved to have a bigger celebration with family and friends, the lockdown restrictions made this impossible. Jack is now 93 and Rhoda is 89.

Their daughter Irene said: “They had a happy wedding day with friends and family on February 26 1951.

“A small reception was held at my dad’s parents’ house and then they went to Newburgh for a short honeymoon.”

Irene was followed by Linda, born in October 1955, and their late son David, who was born in March 1963 and sadly passed away in January 2016.

The couple said: “The marriage was a challenge in its early years but we worked at it and had our ups and downs. We never went to sleep on an argument and have always been happy because of that.

“The best times were the births of our children. Our best advice would be to give and take, and always share responsibilities.”

Irene said her parents enjoyed a “lovely afternoon” on Friday with scones, sandwiches and vol-auvents to mark the occasion.

PLATINUM ANNIVERSARY: Jack and Rhoda Jamieson have been married for 70 years.

Jack and Rhoda.