Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Andrea Lambrou

Diamond Lanarkshire couple were bowled over for one another on their first date

When Janie McQuiston's grandmother had to move from a top flat to a bottom one because of mobility issues, little did she know then that this move would change her life forever.

The neighbour upstairs from her grandmother had two nephews staying with her and when she met Jack Cooper they really fell for each other.

Their first date was the newly opened Olympia bowling alley in East Kilbride.

They were married on March 30, 1963 and, 60 years later with two children and five grandchildren, they are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

It was a double wedding reception for the Coopers, as Janie's sister Helen and her husband Billy were married on the same day.

The big event saw their father walking two daughters down the aisle at different churches. The double reception was held in the Town Hall, which is now the Village Theatre and the East Kilbride News covered the story, publishing a detailed report on April 14, 1963.

Jack and Janie Cooper were married on March 30, 1963 (EAST KILBRIDE NEWS)

The sisters were singers with Jack Anderson's Band and played in the Flamingo Ballroom in Glasgow. Helen's husband Billy was the drummer with Alex Harvey's big soul band and they played at the reception. Helen and Billy emigrated to Canada in 1964.

Jack was a long distance lorry driver with Bowater Scott and later he became Depot Manager in East Kilbride where they had set up home.

He was further promoted to a bigger depot and they moved to County Durham. They lived in the north east of England for seven years and then returned back to East Kilbride.

When they were first married, Janie worked in Holyrood Knitwear and when it closed she went into electronics and later became training manager for HP Computers.

They both love to sing and still enjoy a Saturday afternoon out at their favourite pub in Glasgow, The Old Shipbank.

The East Kilbride News covered the sisters double wedding reception on April 14, 1963 (Tony Nicoletti Daily Record)

The celebrations for their anniversary were all planned. The family were all looking forward to a great night in the Bonnie Prince Charlie on March 31, but unfortunately Jack had a bad fall and broke his hip so the celebrations had to be cancelled.

What they didn't know was that Janie's sister Susan, who was her bridesmaid, had come all the way from Canada to surprise them at the party.

It was a very expensive trip for her and her husband, which was meticulously planned for weeks and ended up so disappointing.

The happy couple pictured with family, some who travelled from Canada to help them celebrate (Tony Nicoletti Daily Record)

Janie said: "After a successful operation, Jack is now home and getting back on his feet. The celebration party is being organised for a few weeks time and we are keeping our fingers crossed there are no more accidents, but unfortunately the visitors from Canada won't be here to see it as they had to return home."

Revealing their secret for a long and happy marriage, she added: "We have always loved and respected each other and never felt anger or frustration with each other at any time throughout our long marriage."

*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.