The youngest of 13 children, she left school at 14 and worked in local factories including a time at the foundry during WWII.

In 1943 Betty married local miner Joe Nimmo and later that year they had their only son together, also Joe.

In 1950 Joe joined the police in Liverpool and served there until he became ill in 1953 when he returned home.

The following year they moved to Queensdale Road, Birkenshaw.

Sadly, Joe passed away in 1955 and Betty returned to work.

And it was while she was at the Verichrome factory that she met Bill Gardiner and they were married in September 1958. They were together until Bill passed away in 2002.

Betty lived alone at the family home in Birkenshaw until she moved into Orchard House near Crossford, in 2019.

On hand to help Betty celebrate her centenary was South Lanarkshire’s Depute Provost Bert Thomson and Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire Alexander Wilkie MBE.

And they were delighted to have a cup of tea and some cake with five generations of Betty’s family, including five great, great grandchildren.

If you would like the Provost to attend a Diamond Wedding or 100th birthday please get in touch with the Provost’s Office.