Sparkling diamond wedding anniversary celebration for Elgin couple Bill and Helen Simpson
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AN ELGIN couple celebrated 60 years together last week – sharing their anniversary with Royals William and Kate.
Bill (82) and Helen Simpson (79), of Springfield Gardens, New Elgin, said their diamond wedding anniversary on Thursday, April 29, was "a fair day".
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge marked their 10-year anniversary on the same date.
A garden family get-together for Bill and Helen's special day also marked the first time they were able to meet their great-granddaughter, Celine, who was born during lockdown.
Moray deputy lieutenant Joan Cowe presented the couple with cards on behalf of the Queen and Lord Lieutenant of Moray Major General Seymour Monro.
Helen said: "It was lovely day. We had the Queen's card and the two cards from the council. We had all the trimmings under the sun.
"Our two daughters arranged everything for us and we were just told to sit back. There were banners up everywhere. We had a fine day alright.
"A couple of neighbours came past and they've been very good to us as well.
"Our son came from Fort William with our great-granddaughter. We had only seen photographs of her before that and she's a wee darling.
"There were a few drams as well – but I think we'd be entitled."
Bill and Helen both grew up in farming families in New Pitsligo, and first locked eyes at a local dance. Helen said: "Bill was from one side of New Pitsligo and I was from the other."
They married at New Pitsligo Church in 1961, followed by a reception at the then New Byth Hotel.
Bill spent more than 30 years working for the Scottish SPCA, starting his training in Edinburgh on "Decimal Day" – February 15, 1971 – when the UK moved from the old system of pounds, shillings and pence to decimal currency.
Bill's job saw the couple move around before their retirement to Elgin more than two decades ago.
They moved to Castle Douglas after Bill's training, followed by two years in Keith, 12 years in Elgin, and 12 years in Aberdeen where Bill was chief inspector for another animal welfare organisation.
Helen worked as a home help locally and also as a minibus driver for an Aberdeen day centre for many years.
They went on to have three children – Wendy, Jennifer and Billy – and five grandchildren – Sheree, Colin, Scott, Alan and Steven.
Helen said the key to their long marriage was give and take. She said: "You give and take and work together. We always go out together – if we're buying anything we go together – that's the way we've worked all the time.
"We've never done anything without one another's agreement and have always done it that way."
A highlight of the couple's marriage was their attendance at the Queen's Garden Party in 1988 through Bill's work.
Daughter Wendy said: "I think their 60 years together is an amazing achievement.
"We're hoping to have a proper celebration when circumstances allow."
