A BARRHEAD couple have shared the secrets of a happy marriage after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Ann McGuire, 72, and husband Eddie, 76, met at a friend’s party in the town in September 1970 and have been together ever since.

Both were born and brought up in Barrhead and have spent most of their lives there.

They worked together in the Spillers pet food factory in the town until it closed 18 years ago.

Their St Patrick’s Day wedding at St John’s Church was featured in the Barrhead News back in 1973.

And it was party time for the happy couple again as they marked their Golden Wedding anniversary with close family and friends at the Dalmeny Park House Hotel, followed by more celebrations back at their home.

Ann, 72, recalled how she first set eyes on Eddie and how they almost never met.

She said: “My sister had asked if I would like to meet this local guy Eddie McGuire at a party.

“I asked what he was like and she said he had red hair and I said ‘no way.’

“However, when we met at the party, we just seemed to click and the rest, as they say, is history.”

Ann worked for Spillers for 28 years in quality control, while Eddie clocked up 34 years of service at the factory.

They have two daughters and a grown-up granddaughter.

When asked about the secret of their successful marriage, Ann replied: “It’s about being able to talk to one another and trusting each other.

“We just get on together, which I think is the most important thing.

“As a result, there have been no rough passages, it’s all been plain sailing.”

Ann says the couple both like going for long walks, though that has been hampered recently as Eddie has been suffering from Long Covid, which has affected his breathing.

She works part-time as a guide for children with complex needs, taking them to and from school each day.

When the couple are not together, Ann can often be found shopping, while Eddie enjoys a pint at his local, The Flying Horse.

Eddie said: “The fifty years have flown by, it doesn’t seem like 50 years.
“Couples give in too easily now when they are not getting on. They need to work harder at their marriage, like we have.”

The couple’s first date after that party all those decades ago was in the former Bierkeller bar, in Union Street, Glasgow, and they haven’t looked back since.

Eddie added:”I asked her out and that was it.”