Couple knew that true love was brewing at McEwan's

JOHN and Janet Nicholson, a couple from the Calders who met in the bottling hall of one of the Capital's famous breweries, are to celebrate 50 happy years of marriage.

John Nicholson, 74, and wife Janet, 73, from Calder Grove, first met when they were both working at McEwan's brewery in Fountainbridge.

After courting for a short while, the couple got engaged in 1959 and were married on February 18, 1961. They had a house wedding, as was common then, and John remembers it being a happy day which was well attended by friends and family.

John was serving in the Army during the early part of the couple's marriage. He did National Service from 1955 and spent some time in Germany, with Janet joining him to live there for a year-and-a-half.

She said: "It was quite difficult at the start, but I loved it there. It's a beautiful place and everything is spotless. I would love to go back some day."

John was in the Seaforth Highlanders and as well as Germany he spent time in many other countries, including Singapore and Malay. He left the army in 1965.

John and Janet went on to have two children, John and Brian. John was born while the couple were living in Germany and was only six months old when Janet brought him back to Edinburgh.

Sadly, he passed away in March 2007, aged 44.

Their other son Brian now lives across the road from John and Janet and they see him regularly. The couple have one granddaughter, Nicole, nine, whom they love spending time with.

John said: "Nicole comes to visit us every week for her tea and we always cook her favourite meal of fish."

Both John and Janet are members of Merchiston Hearts Social Club, Gorgie Road, and like to attend as often as they can. John has always been a keen snooker and darts player and still likes to play in his free time, while Janet enjoys playing bingo and plays regularly with friends.

The happy couple will celebrate their special anniversary by holding a function at Merchiston Hearts Social Club on Saturday, February 26, which they are very much looking forward to.

At the last count, there were 76 people due to attend, and granddaughter Nicole will be presenting her grandmother with a special basket of flowers. On the actual day of their anniversary, John and Janet spent a quiet day at home, getting organised for the party.

John said he is proud of the milestone event and, reflecting on his long and happy marriage, he said: "We've been very happy over the years. You have your ups and downs but you just get on with it, get on with each other and get on with life."

And Janet agrees: "We have had a very happy marriage."