Golden couple were up to speed on 'surprise' party

Bill and Agnes Gibson, who live on Strathesk Road in Penicuik, marked 50 years of happy marriage with a lavish party at a golf club.

Although the do was meant to be a secret, Mrs Gibson, 73, admitted that they were a nosy couple who had persuaded their family and loved ones to spill all on the "surprise" party on August 6.

She said: "I admit we have a bit of a nosy nature, that's something we have in common. We were going to arrange something ourselves, so we told our kids and they looked a bit uncomfortable. Then they all told us about the party. We wanted to know who was coming along to the celebration, so we were a bit sneaky."

The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary at Glencorse Golf Club at a buffet and disco attended by around 60 family and friends. The event had a gold theme and their three children - Gary, 48, Sandra, 47, and Craig, 45 - arranged a special cake with figurines of the couple on top.

Mr Gibson, 79, originally from Craigmillar, and Mrs Gibson followed up the party with a two-day trip to Derby, where they visited Bakewell and Buxton.

The pair met on August 19, 1956 at a church dance in Miltonbridge and they have been together ever since.

Mrs Gibson explained: "I don't know why we were attracted to each other, we just were. Bill was there with his friend Frank, who was the best man at our wedding. We dated ever since that night. Our first proper evening out was at the cinema.

"I don't think there's any real secret to it. We just like each other and have raised a very loving, caring family. We make sure to give each other our own space - we can each do what we want."

The couple married four years later after getting engaged on a holiday to Blackpool. They were married at Glencorse Church, of which they are both still a member.

Mrs Gibson said: "It was a wonderful wedding, very big and attended by around 100 people. Afterwards we had our reception at the Rainbow Rooms in Newington. We went on our honeymoon to Spain by bus."

Straight after returning from their honeymoon, the couple moved to Penicuik, where they have lived ever since. All three of their children have remained in the area because the family are so close.

Mr Gibson worked as a grocer in the local co-op before taking up employment at the crystal factory. He later went to work at a fruit market. Mrs Gibson, originally from Miltonbridge, worked in the physics department at the University of Edinburgh as a lab assistant.

The pair have seven grandchildren, Keith, Lynsey, Jodie, Megan, Gareth, Rachel and Hannah. They enjoy gardening and choir singing.