Globe-trotting couple all set for double wedding celebrations

Published: Monday 23 December 2024

Charlie and Betty Findlay with Depute Provost Bert Thomson and Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire Dr William Morrison Young

Charles and Elizabeth Findlay are looking forward to celebrating their 60th year of marriage over the festive period.

And they are also looking forward to 28 December to celebrate son Ian and wife Carol’s 28th wedding anniversary.

But before the big day itself, Blantyre born and bred Charlie and Betty had a visit from South Lanarkshire Depute Provost Bert Thomson, who presented the couple with flowers and a certificate on behalf of the council.

And Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire Dr William Morrison Young was also on hand to present them with a certificate from The King and The Queen Consort.

Charlie and Betty’s journey together started when they met at Blantyre Miners Welfare Dance Night when she was 17 and he was 22.

The couple courted for several years before Charlie's romantic proposal of "I suppose we should buy some furniture".

They married in Livinstone Memorial Church in Blantyre.

Although Charlie and Betty spent the first few years of married life in Rutherglen they soon returned to their home town where they have lived ever since.

Charlie and Betty Findlay with family and Depute Provost Bert Thomson and Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire Dr William Morrison Young

They raised three boys, Ian, Paul and Graeme and now have three grandchildren.

Graeme and wife Linda stay in Blantyre with their two kids, Jennifer and Ben.

Ian emigrated to Australia with his Australian wife Carol and had son Evan.

Sadly Paul passed away three years ago.

Charlie was a time served plater who worked at the electricity board and Ravenscraig. He retired when Ravenscraig closed down more than 30 years ago.

And Betty was a credit controller for her last 30 years of working life.

The couple love to travel and as well as a few trips to Australia, go on holiday as often as they can with at least one cruise each year.

But despite their extensive travelling to far-flung exotic places, the couple put Sorento, Italy, at the top of their memory list. It was there that they got up early to catch the dawn and were just in time to hear a road sweeper sing the famous Neapolitan classic O Sole Mio.

Betty said: “He may not have been Andrea Bocelli but he sang so beautifully that the memory has stayed with us ever since.”

If you would like the Provost to attend a Diamond Wedding or 100th birthday please get in touch with the Provost’s Office.