A COUPLE who were told they 'would never last' have marked their 50th wedding anniversary!
Brian Coggin, 71, and wife Janet, 68, married at St Mary's Church on October 12, 1963, after courting for two years and celebrated their anniversary last Saturday.
But Brian said people didn't think they would stay together because Janet was a member of the Salvation Army and Brian wasn't religious and liked to drink, smoke and gamble.
Fifty years later, he says he knew from the moment he saw her that Janet was the one for him and this had helped them stay together despite challenges over the years.
"I was lucky," he said. "It might sound corny but, when I first met Janet, it was love at first sight. I knew straight away she was the one for me.
"She spends a lot of time at the Salvation Army and I really like my telly so I watch what I want when she's out. I like my own company but obviously I prefer hers.
"I also think it's important to be able to see both sides of the argument on the rare occasions we do have a disagreement and Janet never likes to go to bed before working things out."
Brian and Janet met in a pub in Hemingfield and, after a two-year courtship, were engaged for two months.
They spent some time living with Janet's mother on Collindridge Road before moving to Ings Road for six years and moved to their current address on Hall Street about 35 years ago.
They have three children, Adrian, 38, Tracey, 43, and Stuart, 42, as well as six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
