A beautiful story tonight as well known local couple George and Catherine Paterson celebrate being married for an incredible….70 years! A Platinum Wedding Anniversary.
Catherine is a Blantyre lass, born in 1931 at Auchinraith Road’s Buggy Buildings. After moving to Clark Street, she went to school at Ness’s then Calder Street leaving at the age of 14. Catherine told us, “My first job was in Lewis’s in Argyll Street, Glasgow until I left in 1948 mainly because I wanted the weekend off for dancing!”
“My friends and I loved dancing and one of our favourites was Hamilton Town Hall, where I met George. Our first dance was the quick step and romance blossomed from there.”
Catherine and George got engaged in 1949, but George was then called up to do his National Service. After 2 years, George signed up to become a regular soldier and was posted to Malaya for 3 years. They corresponded back and forth during that time until he was demobbed in 1954. Whilst away George took up many hobbies including football and boxing, both of which he was exceptionally skilled!
When George returned to Britain, a date was set for the couple’s wedding. The 12th June 1954 was the big day!
Catherine then got a job at Hector Powe closer to home where she worked in the office until it closed in 1977. She then worked with the Electricity Board until retirement when she was pleased to spend time with her granddaughters.
Many people will know George from his successful former business ‘Paterson’s Coaches’, a household name in Blantyre and Hamilton.
Today, the couple are 70 years happily married and live locally in Blantyre. Their family and friends, including daughter Janette, grandchildren Lynsey and Fiona and son in law Jim want to wish them the very best and every continued happiness.
Meantime, we’re sure everybody reading this will join us in the comments to congratulate George and Catherine. 70 years of marriage is something to truly cherish, a proud and wonderful milestone…..and we hope you are having a wonderful celebration today!
Congratulations on an astonishing achievement.
I remember my Dad and sister Alice booking the Paterson bus for the David Livingstone RSC when we lived in Beech Place. I rode that bus with family members on many occasions.
Hope you had a great day with family and friends on your celebrations.
Archie Simm