Real Lives: Fifty happy years and a party worth waiting for

Musselburgh couple James and Jessie Currie have finally celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary – after agreeing to postpone the festivities for New Year.

The couple were married on December 29, 1951, but they kept the champagne on ice until Friday, January 6, when they were joined by more than 160 family members and friends for a party at the Wiremill Social Club.

With so many names on their guest list, they agreed it was easier to wait until after the New Year festivities to mark their momentous milestone.

Born and brought up in the Honest Toun, Jessie, 78, met Jimmy, from Dalkeith, in the late 1940s when they were both regulars at dances held in the Catholic Hall and the Labour Hall in Musselburgh.

After being married at the Manse in Inveresk, the couple set up home in Dalkeith, and Jimmy worked as a miner at Easthouses Colliery for 22 years.

Their first child, Catherine, was born two months premature and two days after their first wedding anniversary on December 31, 1952 — claiming the accolade of the last child born in Dalkeith that year.

They went on to have three more children — James, Thomas and Janet — and now have 12 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Sadly, their elder son James died eight years ago after being diagnosed with cancer.

It was after the birth of Thomas that the couple left Dalkeith for Musselburgh, where Jimmy, 80, worked at Brunton’s Wiremill for 26 years before his retirement.

Family has been the cornerstone of the relationship for Jessie, one of ten children, and Jimmy, one of 11.

“We have a lovely family, we really do, and they are very good to their mum and dad,” said Jessie.

TWO women have been recognised for their volunteering work in the community.

Barbara Leslie’s lifetime of work with the Guides and Brownies, and volunteer Abby Farrell were both presented with awards in a reception at the newly refurbished Council Chambers in the Town House, Dunbar, recently.

Both women were honoured with annual accolades presented by Dunbar Community Council.

Abby, 21, received the Bowe Cup, given to a young person for achievement, for her voluntary work at the local day centre.

Barbara, 56, who received the Community Council Award for service to the community, started her long association with the Guides and Brownies as a Ranger Guide when she was at school.

She was involved with the 1st Dunbar Guides and left to have children, but resumed service with the 1st Dunbar Brownies when her daughter, Patricia, was five.