Giving and taking keeps diamond couple together

JIM and Alice Kelly have celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary – as they both celebrated birthdays.

Alice celebrated her 81st birthday on 8 March, while Jim celebrated his 83rd birthday on 10 March – the same day as the couple's wedding anniversary.

Indeed, the family said it was a long-standing joke that because their anniversary is the same day as Jim's birthday, there is no better present he could ask for.

They received congratulations from both the Queen and the First Minister, Alex Salmond, on their big day.

The couple met at the Newtongrange chip shop in 1943, which was popular in the area at the time

In 1945, when he was just 18, Jim left to serve in the Marines with the parting words: "The less I see of you the better, " to which Alice replied: "You'll live to regret that."

During his time in the Marines, where he was posted to Hong Kong and Japan, Jim kept in touch with letters.

Not long after he returned they were married in Stobhill Church, on 10 March, 1950, and started married life living with Alice's parents.

In 1953 they were finally able to move into their own house in Mayfield, Dalkeith, just in time to celebrate the Queen's coronation, and they have lived there ever since.

Originally from Arniston, Jim was a joiner by trade, but left that to go down the mines, first at Easthouses then when that closed at Bilston Glen, from where he eventually retired.

Alice worked as a clerk in Brechin Brothers and then R&T Gibson, later moving to Munro's the butchers, where she spent 40 years of her working life until she retired.

Jim is a past president of Dalkeith Buccleuch Rifle club and club champion on many occasions. He also scored 100 / 100 in the Evening News small bore tournament.

He played in Arniston Silver Band and with Stow Amateurs and Arniston Rangers at football, and was a long-time member of Newbattle Golf Club.

The couple had a celebration at Baberton Golf Club with friends and family on Sunday, 7 March.

Gregor Murray, the Depute Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian, presented them with a congratulatory card from the Queen and Councillor Adam Montgomery, Provost of Midlothian, presented them with a flower arrangement and a cast iron plaque of a local colliery.

A family celebration was held on the evening of the actual anniversary.

The couple have one son, Tom, and three grandchildren – Alastair, Stephanie and Lyndsey – and said that the secret to a long and happy marriage was "Give and take. He gives and I take."