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70 Years of Marriage for Rhins Couple

A RHINS couple this week celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary, an incredible 70 years of marriage.

Peter and Mary Smith (nee McGarva) met at a dance in Sandhead back in the early 1930s, and the rest, they say, is history.

They went on to be married by the Rev Thomas Graham at the Caledonian Hotel in Stranraer on 24th November, 1934.

Speaking from their home in New Abbey, near Dumfries, on the eve of the anniversary, Mr Smith explained the secret of their 70 happy years. He said:

"Its just that we respect and have so much affection for each other."

Mr Smith added that he and his wife plan to celebrate by having a small party at home with family and some close friends.

A founder member of the Lochryan Pipe Band, Mr Smith was born in the parish of Kirkmaiden in 1910, Mrs Smith being born in Portpatrick three years later.

After getting married, the couple moved around the Shire, with Mr Smith working as a dairyman. They moved to Dumfriesshire in 1940, and then to the Stewartry in 1945, where Mr Smith worked on the same farm as a stockman until he retired.

Mr Smith was also a beadle in the local church for 29 years, ably assisted by his wife, who was a long time member of the WRI and Women's Guild.

The couple retired to the village of New Abbey in 1975.