A DEVOTED East Renfrewshire couple who hit it off through their passion for music have celebrated a special anniversary.

Morton and Janetta Gould both enjoyed careers as professional musicians and music teachers.

As a master craftsman, Morton was also renowned for his hand-made harpsichords.

Now the sweethearts have ‘gone platinum’ after clocking up 70 years of married bliss.

And there was a royal treat for the couple as they marked the big occasion, with Her Majesty the Queen sending her best wishes.

The tea party was also a time for 92-year-old Morton and Janetta, 94, to look back with fondness on the day in 1951 when they tied the knot.

Janetta told the Barrhead News. “We met when Morton came to our church and asked my father if he could sing in the choir.

“My father replied ‘My daughter will see to you’ and it was love at first sight.

“From then on, we did every musical activity we could together. Our first date was a centenary recital for Chopin. I had tickets and asked Morton to go with me.

“On the train home, he said to me ‘When I’m a big boy, will you marry me?’

“He was 20 and I was 21.”

The Goulds, who went on to have three daughters, established their harpsichord business – Harpsichord Society – later in life after working as music teachers.

Janetta said: “Music has been with us for all our years together. We created the Harpsichord Society in Glasgow and building the instrument turned out to be very lucrative.

“All institutions in Scotland have a harpsichord made by Morton.”

The couple both live at Newton House Care Home, in Newton Mearns, having moved there earlier this year so Morton, who has dementia, could get extra support.

“The best thing about our 70th is being here together,” said Janetta. “I’m delighted we got a card from the Queen.

My advice to couples who want to have a happy, long-lasting marriage is to never go to sleep on an argument and also to trust each other, as well as loving each other.

“That’s been our approach and we’ve had a wonderful life of togetherness.”

Marianne Fernandez-Faichney, wellbeing and lifestyle coach at Newton House, helped to organise the platinum anniversary celebration.

She said: “It is lovely to spend time with Janetta and Morton.

“It is nice to see that this kind of true love is not only seen in fairytales. It is absolutely real.”