Colmans are diamond Valentines

Married on 14th February 1955, Robert (87) and Vera (85) met three years earlier at the Cavendish dancing hall in Edinburgh.

He told the Press, “Edinburgh’s where Vera used to live and we met on her birthday. Her birthday night was the first time I set eyes on her and that was 63 years ago.

“I met her at the Cavendish and because it was her birthday I said ‘that deserves a cup of tea and a scone or a bun!’ There was no alcohol in that time.

“I apologised and said I had to catch a train – there were no buses or any other transport in that time. We arranged to meet again and that was that!” The couple, now of Cantlie Place in Rosyth, married at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Murrayfield Avenue in Edinburgh and can now boast two children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren with another great-grandchild on the way.

Vera was born near Wembley in London and lost her parents during the war. She came up to Scotland to stay with an aunt in Edinburgh and has been north of the border ever since.

As Robert says, “She bumped into me and never went back!” Vera worked at Edinburgh’s Waverley station and in the blood transfusion service.

Her husband was always in the hairdressing industry and started a business in Inverkeithing when he took over from his old employer in the early 1950s.

Robert has been a member of Aberdour Golf Club since 1948 although he is no longer able to play.

The Colmans celebrated their diamond anniversary with around 20 family members – and Robert’s best man from 60 years ago – at the Elgin Hotel in Charlestown.

The secret to their long marriage? Vera says, “Contentment. We are quite happy living here.” Robert agreed, “We are contented, that’s the thing. We are able to get out. Vera used to drive but had to give it up.

“Helen (our daughter) takes us shopping as I lost my sight about 10 years ago. We have the usual calendar full of appointments!”