This weekend saw the second of my paternal grandparents diamond anniversary parties. The family members on the right are from my grandmother’s family (her sister and sister’s daughter’s family), on the left are my grandparents, parents and myself.

Diamond Wedding Party (Part 2)
Originally uploaded by clarkalastair

For this my mother (with the aide of my sister) composed a poem called “Ode On The Occasion Of Charlie and Bett’s Diamond Wedding Anniversary” (14th March 1950-2010)

Far more than 60 years ago, the story started. Let us go
Back in time for 90 years, before this day of toasts and “Cheers!”
Back to Ibrox where there grew two families known to me and you,
Two families of Dyce and Clark, in the shadow of Ibrox Park.
When Bett and Charlie think of then, they share the memory of when
They started at the self-same school (where neither of them played the fool).
And many peacful days they had until war came to make them sad.
Though not a courting couple yet, one special thing was done by Bett.
A butcher’s shop was her employ — for Charles’s mother’s golden boy
She kept aside, would you believe, whenever he was home on leave
A lovely piece of pork to roast (“His favourite treat,” his mother’s boast.)
So long before they were a pair, his life was better thanks to her.
Charlie went to France and Belgium; his medals 5 I’m glad to mention;
He arrived to fight for our cause, just as Brussels liberated was.
Bett meanwhile her skills did hone; with a cleaver she was in the zone;
At butchering she was a star, better than Jamie Olivar!
Fast forward: 1948, and tales of a romantic date.
Here comes Charlie, chocs in hand; Aunt Cis said that the match was grand,
“Look no further!” she exclaimed — “He’s brought you chocolates,” she explained.
To Giffnock they went, off for a dance — an evening filled with sweet romance.
Then Charlie went to Ilford town, which made both Bett and him feel down;
At weekends he continued wooing. Long distance love — it took some doing.
But soon enough he popped the question, on a holiday — Finzean the destination.
They arrived in the village late at night, and en route to Aunt Lottie’s Bett got a real fright.
A mooing cow caused her alarm! She held on tight to her loved one’s arm.
But their courting had a happy ending (all bovine frights notwithstanding)
And a date was set without delay; 14th March, hip hip hooray!
The wedding was a grand affair; 150 folk were there!
Friends and neighbours and family; with Bett a beautiful bride to see.
The reception was at the Georgic Hotel; toasts of lemonade were swell.
They can’t remember what they had for dinner, but a telegram said, “This Bett’s a winner!”
Charlie agreed — he’d won the prize. “Charlie is my darling,” Bett replies.
A memorable honeymoon ensued, starting with a kindly dude
They met upon the Wemyss Bay train; dropping confetti was not in vain.
The railway carriage he did vacate, leaving Charlie alone with his mate.
At Greenock, snow had them stuck on that train, but the honeymooners did not complain –
They found a way to pass the time until someone could clear the line.
To Bute they went, to the Craig Mohr; by then their fame had spread for sure:
A mugshot in the local rag caused all the natives’ tongues to wag.
I needn’t recount their married life; at Charlie’s 90th I spoke of him and his wife.
I spoke of them in terms of praise; now make sure you all have a glass to raise.
Those 60 years of married bliss, with many a sweet and loving kiss,
We’re here to celebrate today; to Bett and Charlie — hip hip hooray!

Some of the rhymes require a change in pronunciation to make them work, which my family quite enjoyed, and everyone quite liked it. Indeed my mother is an English graduate.