Hugh and Therese Kennedy met at the dancing in St Mary’s Hall, in Lanark, in the late 1950s and wrote to each other every day for two years while Hugh served in the army, undertaking his National Service in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Hugh was demobbed in February 1962 and the couple got engaged the next month, before being married in February 1963 in St Mary’s Catholic Church, Lanark, by Father Dermot Sweeney. Therese arrived at the church half-an-hour late, but with good reason – the taxi had needed to battle up Kirkfieldbank Brae in severe snow. 

They held their wedding reception at the Silver Bell, Lanark, and it cost a remarkable – by today’s standards – seven shillings and sixpence. The newly-weds honeymooned in Southport but were again affected by the weather when heavy snow forced them to return home early. 

They started married life in New Lanark, where Hugh had been raised with both of his parents working in the mills. Their home was a room and kitchen with an outside toilet in Rosedale Street, known as the Double Row, with a rent of 3/5d a week – although the electricity was free as it was generated from New Lanark Mill. 

Both had jobs in Lanark – Hugh was a mechanic with Ladyacre Garage while Therese, who had grown up in Kirkfieldbank, worked in Ross the Drapers, in Castlegate.

And it was Lanark that the couple moved to when they had their three daughters, Elaine, Jennifer and Maureen, and they have remained there ever since. They now also have four grandsons, Kevin, Robbie, Connor and Kyle and, fittingly for a couple who are steeped in the area, all of their family still live locally.

Therese still enjoys crocheting and sewing and over the years has crocheted hundreds of blankets for charities while Hugh until just recently helped out at St Mary's Church, showing it to visitors from all over the world and telling them the history of the building.

Despite having such a devoted family supporting them, the couple had three extra well-wishers for their momentous wedding anniversary: South Lanarkshire Provost Margaret Cooper and Deputy Lord Lieutenants for Lanarkshire David Russell and Colonel Ted Shields.

Provost Cooper was delighted to present the couple with flowers, a special bottle of whisky and a certificate from the council, while the Deputy Lord Lieutenants represented the King and passed on to Hugh and Therese a certificate to mark their wonderful achievement.