Joyful end to 2020 for Grangemouth diamond couple

Jimmy and Nancy Walker, of Moriston Court, Grangeouth, celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary on Wednesday, December 30.

Coatbridge born Jimmy (82), who attended Sacred Heart Primary School and St Mungo’s High School, met Falkirk lass Nancy (80) at Thomas Murray Laundry, in

Dalgrain Road, Grangemouth when they were teenagers.

Former Bothkennar Primary School and Carronshore High School pupil Nancy agreed to marry Jimmy when he came out of the army and the couple have been together ever since.

The wedding took place in Sacred Heart Chapel and then back to the Jimmy’s mum and dad’s house in Tay Street, Grangemouth to celebrate the happy occasion with family and friends.

Van driver Jimmy and laundry assistant Nancy had two children – Steven and Craig – and their family subsequently grew to include four grandchildren, Nicola, Kathryn, Martin and Lucy, and two great grandchildren Caris and Caelan.

Current COVID-19 restrictions make it difficult to celebrate anything at the moment, never mind something as special as being married for 60 years and the Walkers are sadly in the same boat as everyone else.

Jimmy said: “We have no plans due to the restrictions, but if it weren’t for that the family would have got together for a few drinks, some nibbles and a sing along and to some old songs.”

The couple have no magic formula to divulge for a long marriage.

Nancy said: “There’s no secret – we’ve just always been happy together.”

Jimmy, though, employs an important skill which all husbands would do well to include in their marriage.

“Just do as you’re told and smile and agree,” he laughed.

Football fan Jimmy, who “runs about after everyone” and is Nancy’s unofficial chauffeur, is happy with his anniversary present – a new smart television, which he watches matches on while Nancy takes trips to Grangemouth town centre – when she can in these current times – to enjoy the company of her friends in cafes.

What the couple enjoy most though is when all their family is around them and Nancy can sing songs with her great grandchildren.