A BARRHEAD couple who made their own little bit of history when they tied the knot are celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss.

Margaret and Ronnie Grant were married on February 3, 1968, in the first public ceremony at what was then known as Arthurlie Parish Church.

Fast forward half a century and the couple are now looking forward to their Golden Wedding anniversary.

However, Ronnie – who first met his sweetheart at a Paisley picture house in 1963 – recalls that their wedding might have taken place a year or two earlier if Margaret had taken advantage of an old tradition.

He told the Barrhead News: “We had jokingly discussed getting engaged in 1964 as it was a leap year and Margaret could propose to me.

“In the end, it was another two years before we became engaged and I had the daunting task of asking her father’s permission.”

After living in Paisley as newlyweds, the couple had two children – Christopher and Valerie.

They then moved around, living in Dykebar and Barrhead before settling into their current home in Cuillin Way.

Grandchildren followed with the arrival of Jack, Lewis, Megan and Kian.

Before retiring, Margaret was a teacher, retiring from Glenwood Nursery in 2005.

Ronnie, meanwhile, was a salesman, mostly specialising in books and maps.

Today, the couple, both 72, remain prominent members of the Barrhead community.

They are both elders at St Andrew’s Parish Church, which in 2013 succeeded the one in which they were married 50 years ago.

When asked about the secret to a long and happy marriage, Margaret said: “Patience and tolerance are important for any couple.

“You definitely need to have love and trust, otherwise you don’t have a chance.”

And Ronnie is in agreement.

He said: “You can’t have a marriage without patience and we both have that.

“I would say Margaret is probably a bit more patient and tolerant than me. She did work with children, after all.”