Care home residents mark 70 years of ‘blissful’ marriage
Davie (93) and Margaret Hunter (89) have marked 70 years of ‘blissful’ marriage with a celebration like no other in Renaissance Care’s Rosepark Care Home in Uddingston.
The couple who met 71 years ago while working in the Schweppes factory, were made a fuss over by staff and local businesses which donated balloons, banners and a three-tier cake, much to the astonishment of the love birds.
The wedding back in 1951 took place in Balornock Chapel and was ‘perfectly modest’ with a reception at Margaret’s mum’s house, costing all of £25.
Although the pair are ‘still very much smitten’ with each other, Margaret and Davie, were unable to share the secret of their long and successful marriage, putting it down to simply ‘just liking each other’ and ‘having a laugh’.
Davie has always made Margaret laugh. Margaret remembers in their courting days Davie would stay behind after his shift to sweet-talk her resulting in him missing his bus home to Yoker almost every night. Davie said: “Her granny used to say, ‘that poor boy’ because I was always missing the bus and having to cycle all the way home just so I could stay and talk to Margaret.”.
Davie worked with the lorries while Margaret was an operator in the Schweppes factory in Glasgow, before settling into married life in Cumbernauld where they had their two children.
Margaret and Davie feel like time has flown saying ‘it feels like yesterday’ that they were standing at the alter together joined by Margaret’s sister, Tilly, as maid of honour and Davie’s brother, Tommy, as best man.
Mr and Mrs Hunter moved into Renaissance Care’s Rosepark Care Home in January following a family decision that Mrs Hunter would be better off being looked after by qualified care and nursing staff.
Since becoming residents, the couple have become close with staff who ensured their Platinum wedding anniversary would not go by without a bit of a party.
The three-tier cake, topped with edible flowers, was donated by Special Days Cakes and the balloons and personalised banner was kindly gifted by Happy Ever Laughter, both based in Hamilton.
Activity co-ordinator, Annette Frew, and colleagues at the Uddingston home gathered pictures of the couple to create a backdrop for a three-course meal prepared especially by the home’s chefs.
Annette said: “Davie and Margaret are a really wonderful couple. They are always having fun together and are the perfect example of soulmates. Both are full of character and never cease to get us all laughing away.
“We love making a fuss of our residents here at Rosepark Care Home, and a platinum wedding anniversary is more than cause for a celebration. I would like to say a big thank you Special Days Cakes and Happy Ever Laughter for their kind donations, we couldn’t have made it as special without you.
Margaret said: “We still love each other as much as the day we met. The past 70 years have been absolute bliss with Davie - he is my best friend, and I can’t wait to enjoy more times like these together at Rosepark.
“It was so kind for the staff and the local shops to think of us and make our day by showering us with such generous gifts and surprises – we can’t thank everyone enough.”
