I do... at last! Alex, 91, weds Jane, 89, after 60yrs together

NO one could accuse them of rushing into things. For Alex and Jane Hamilton finally tied the knot yesterday – after being together for almost 60 years.

In a case of ‘better late than never’, the 89-yearold bride said ‘I do’ to her 91-year-old groom.

After six decades as a couple, the pair exchanged vows in front of their family and friends yesterday on the day they always celebrate as their anniversary.

Although Jane adopted Alex’s surname years ago and they have a family of five children, 11 grandchildren and six great grandchildren, they have now made it official.

Mrs Hamilton – dressed in white – was accompanied by her granddaughter Claire as she was piped into the church.

Despite being together for decades, raising a family, running a business and welcoming grandchildren, the couple decided now was the right time to wed.

And Mrs Hamilton was reduced to tears when her grandson surprised her from Australia to be at their big day.

Speaking outside Tillicoultry Parish Church, the newlyweds said now was as good a time as any after years of working long hours with little spare time. Mrs Hamilton said: ‘He sat on the bed the other Sunday and said, “We ought to get married”, and that was it.

‘Our first holiday together was in Oban so we are going there in June for our honeymoon. We met in 1956 but we have been together since 1963 – so almost 60 years.

‘My grandson came over from Australia which had me in tears.

He walked in as I was getting ready this morning, I didn’t know he was coming.’

The groom – a former over-80s world squash champion – said: ‘It’s been pleasant getting all the family together.’

Mr Hamilton drove himself to the church with son Gordon, who was his best man, while eldest daughter Beverley and granddaughter Claire accompanied Mrs Hamilton to the church. And like all good weddings, there was a panic in the morning when Mr Hamilton misplaced the rings that he had moved for safekeeping. Their youngest daughter Kate found them in his shirt pocket.

Rev Alison Britchfield joked during the ceremony that the couple had done everything in a different order.

The new Mr and Mrs Hamilton were piped back out of the church before celebrating with their family. The couple first met in the bride’s home city of Birmingham and later relocated to Bridge of Allan in Stirlingshire after Mr Hamilton started his own cheese and butter business.

Daughter Sally said: ‘They have a positive outlook on their older years. They still go out and live life as best they can.’