Having married 60 years ago at Gean House Jim and Anne return for their diamond anniversary.
As Jim and Anne Brown meander through Gean House, walking side by side, as they have done for the last 60 years, the couple take in the Edwardian house, the hall with the crackling open log fire and beautiful picture windows which flood the room with natural light.
They take a seat opposite the Inglenook fireplace and reminisce on their wedding day, an intimate affair with close friends and family which was celebrated at Gean House on 20th February 1954 which has just been and was followed up with a diamond anniversary celebration, again at Gean House on 23rd February 2014.
In 1950 the couple were due to attend their friend’s wedding as best man and maid of honour. However, Jim called Anne a week before thinking they should meet one another before the wedding itself. With a trip to the pictures they hit it off and Jim (85) originally from Sauchie and Anne from Alloa (82) married 4 years later, on the 20th February 1954.
Jim first started work at the Post Office and later worked at Clyde Computer Services in Glasgow for 25 years and Anne worked at Donaldson Knitwear. Throughout their life they have moved around, living in Fife, Lossiemouth and Inverness and then moving back to Alloa 7 years ago. They had a son and daughter and now have three grandsons and one great grandson all full of life and keeping the family very busy. Anne looks round the main hall and remarks, “It’s a lovely old building” showing it still has its charm after all this time.
When asked how they felt being back at Gean House Mr Brown replied: “It hasn’t changed, standing in the Drawing Room where we got married – if feels the same as that day”. Friends and family were delighted to attend the anniversary lunch on Sunday, coming together from all over the country to celebrate what was, according to Jim a highly “successful night” in a perfect atmosphere in which to celebrate.
