Real Lives: Gifts galore as diamond couple mark marriage

Published on Wednesday 10 August 2011 11:37

TWO dozen roses from Malta, a card from the Queen and flowers from the Provost were just some the gifts that Bridgend residents Peter and May Manson received for their diamond wedding anniversary last week.

Peter, originally from Linlithgow, was serving as an engineer in the Royal Navy in Greenock when he met May at a dance in nearby Gourock.

The couple married on August 3, 1951 at St John's Church in Mrs Manson's native Greenock.

She recalled that Mr Manson didn't get down on his knees when he proposed. She said: "He certainly didn't get down on his knees - he was going to be going away and thought we had a better chance of being together if we got married.

"As it happened, he was stationed in Malta and I was allowed to go with him."

Mr Manson was originally drafted to Malta for two years, but the newlyweds' stay was extended to three.

"We had a wonderful time in Malta and we are still in touch with the family we stayed with for three years," said Mrs Manson. "In fact, a box of two dozen roses arrived from Malta as our first present of the day on our wedding anniversary."

After Mr Manson's service ended in Malta, the couple returned to Scotland and set up home in West Lothian's Bridgend in 1953, moving into a brand new house, where the couple still live today.

They raised four children - Alan, David, Keith and Marjory - and now have 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who they described as "wonderful".

Alan and his family live near Toronto in Canada and Mrs Manson said although they do not get to see them often, they are a very close-knit family.

"We're very close. In this day and age especially, we have got a great relationship with all the family."

Sadly, a fortnight before the couple's special anniversary Mr Manson suffered a stroke, meaning they had to cancel a planned trip to Canada for their grandson Greg's wedding. Although it was disappointing, the couple were excited to see photos and hear stories from their family on the big day.

Mrs Manson said her husband was recovering well. "He's not too bad - he still has to take it easy. We go for walks every day and he's sometimes a bit shaky, but he's getting better."

Asked how she thought marriage had changed since their wedding in 1951, Mrs Manson said: "Most marriages don't pass the test of time now. They don't adhere to the marriage vows, which meant a lot to our generation.

"People today get things a bit easy and don't have to rough it like we did.

"We had wars, but it was better then. People were different. I'm quite glad I lived when I did and I hope it gets better for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren."