An array of diamond anniversary cards added to the seasonal display at the Wyverie Court home of 82-year-old Jean Allan and husband Peter, 79

THERE was added sparkle to the festive season for an Oldmeldrum couple yesterday as they marked 60 years of marriage with a family celebration.

An array of diamond anniversary cards added to the seasonal display at the Wyverie Court home of 82-year-old Jean Allan and husband Peter, 79.

The childhood sweethearts were brought up in the Tarves area where they both went to the village school. They were wed at Tarves manse.

Both were from farming families, and Mr Allan left school to become a farm worker.

He continued to work on the land, including 11 years at Tolquhon between Tarves and Pitmedden, until taking a porter’s post at an Aberdeen University halls of residence when the couple moved to the city’s College Bounds.

Mrs Allan also worked at the university as a cleaner at the nearby geography building.

The couple retired to live in the sheltered housing complex at Oldmeldrum 14 years ago when Mr Allan retired, although he promptly took a part-time job at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre as a handyman.

Since retiring from that post – for a whole month – the grandather-of-13 has now become a school crossing patroller in Oldmeldrum. “I like to be doing something, and I am thoroughly enjoying the job,” said Mr Allan. “Having worked in farming, I am used to being out in all kinds of weather.”

He added: “I am a lucky man, having never been ill in my life and had such a happy marriage.”

Last night they were joined by their family for a celebration meal in Oldmeldrum’s Morris’s Hotel.