Golden Wedding is Icing on the Cake

Friday, 6 June 2008

Nancy and Archie Connell at Alexander House.

Baker's apprentice Archie Connell might have thought he was skating on thin ice when he asked his girlfriend Nancy for a first date, but that night out at the Ice Rink in Dunfermline was the start of a life-long romance which led to the happy couple celebrating their Golden Wedding on Saturday.

"I used to see Archie at work in Wilson's the Baker in Crossgates every morning as I went to catch the bus to Dunfermline High School," explained 70 year-old Nancy, "and used to secretly hope that he might ask me out. But unknown to me my dad used to go in to the baker's for rolls and was egging Archie on as well.

"But when he did eventually pluck up the courage to ask me we ended up falling in love and eventually married in Crossgates Church on June 7, 1958."

Nancy still lives in Crossgates, just yards away from the village's Alexander House Care Home where Archie is currently a resident.

The happy couple have a son Jim who also lives in Crossgates, and a daughter Janice in nearby Dunfermline. They also have four grandchildren, Graeme, Darren, Aimee and Declan.

So what is the secret of a long and happy marriage?

"Too many people nowadays seem to get married then divorced a year later," said Nancy with a smile, "but while rows are undoubtedly inevitable in any relationship the secret surely lies in always taking the time and making the effort to kiss and make up.

"Archie and I have had a lovely life together and we are looking forward to having all the family join us to help us celebrate in style."

Those celebrations began at Alexander House on Friday when Archie and Nancy were joined by his fellow residents at a party organized by the Home's owners Kingdom Homes Ltd to help the couple mark their golden anniversary.