Married for 70 happy years
It was a case of "Maggie, Maggie give me your answer do" after Margaret and Charlie Mack enjoyed their first date together — on a bicycle made for two.
That was back in 1939. Margaret said 'yes' and the couple recently celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary.
After an incredible 70 years of happy marriage, Margaret still clearly recalls the day when Charlie took her for "a run down the coast" on his tandem.
"We were both members of the same cycling club, the Prestonpans Wheelers. I told him I'd never been on a tandem before so he offered to give me a shot and that was how it all started," she told the News.
Miner
Now residents of Thomson Crescent, Port Seton, the couple were married at the former registry office in Chamber Street, Edinburgh, on January 27, 1940.
As a miner at Prestonlinks Colliery, Charlie, originally from Prestonpans, was exempt from military service during the Second World War and he and Margaret set up home in the miners' houses in Crown Square, now long since demolished.
Margaret, a Port Seton girl, worked for her brother John Thomson, who ran his own fishmongers business, before the arrival of their children, Andrew, Ella and Beth, who now lives in Spain.
The family has since expanded and the couple have six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Still active members of Cockenzie and Port Seton Old Parish Church, 88-year-old Margaret and Charlie (92), celebrated their anniversary with family, friends and members of the congregation, with a religious blessing by Rev Jock Stein, followed by tea and cakes in the church hall.
Altar
Having missed out on a church wedding during the war, Margaret never imagined she would be standing hand in hand at the altar with Charlie seven decades on.
The couple were also delighted to receive a card from the Queen, presented by Depute Lord Lieutenant for East Lothian, Marlene Love.
After all these years, they insist there is no big secret to a happy marriage.
Both try to keep themselves fit and active, with Margaret attending tea dances at Port Seton Centre and Charlie enjoying a daily walk around the harbour.
"You fall out and you just have to fall in again. You just have to try to work things out," said Margaret.
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Friday 18 May 2012
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