Diamond couple 'do everything together'

A COUPLE who have lived in the same West Lothian home for more than half a century have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Peter and Sarah Wardle marked the occasion with friends and family in their daughter Margaret's home in Penicuik.

Mrs Wardle, 79, who was born in Whitburn, was moved to Yorkshire in her childhood so her father could find work, given the shortage in West Lothian at that time.

It was there, where her father secured a job working at a large country house, that the couple met.

Mr Wardle was a farm worker at the time and Mrs Wardle also worked in the area for Lord and Lady Middleton.

After a few years down south the pair returned north, this time to live in Blackburn, West Lothian.

They married in 1950 at St Columba's Church in Bathgate.

Four children soon followed - Anne, 59, Peter, 58, Margaret, 51, and 39-year-old Fiona, and they now have 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

As they settled into West Lothian life, Mr Wardle, 82, became a bus driver for SMT buses in Bathgate and some years later his wife also joined the company, working as a conductress. They worked together on the buses for more than two decades.

Daughter Margaret said: "My dad initially started out as a conductor on the buses in Bathgate and after maybe about a year he did his licence so he could start driving.

"My mum then came to work on the same bus. It wouldn't be for everyone working together, but that's what they are like. They idolise each other and do absolutely everything together.

"You never see one without the other."

Once that era was complete, Mr Wardle moved to work with West Lothian Council as a cleansing supervisor until his retirement.

Family said the couple are modest and humble, and wouldn't like too much of a fuss made about their landmark anniversary.

"But we had to do something to show them how proud we are of them," Margaret added.

"It was a fantastic party with kids, grandkids and great-grandkids all there.

"They would have preferred to have it as just another day, that's just the way they are.

"My dad's from Yorkshire originally but he's lived up here for years.

"We always laugh at him now because the two accents have merged a bit and it makes him sound Polish. It's rare these days for people to stay married for that long which is why we are all so keen to highlight this.

"They never smoked or drank, and they love each other so much.

"Even despite their age they are not housebound and my dad still drives.

"They love each other's company and always have done."