AN Old Kilpatrick couple may have 50 years behind them but they’re certainly not worrying about being old.

Andy and Patricia Mooney recently marked their golden anniversary with the help of an extensive family and a visit from Provost Douglas McAllister.

But 50 years is just the formal bit, having been childhood sweethearts before they wed at St Eunan’s church on July 2, 1966.

The long-time Clydebank residents, who moved to Old Kilpatrick in recent years, originally met almost 70 years ago when both used to walk from Drumry to St Stephen’s Primary on Second Avenue. They walked so their bus fares could be spent – surely more sensibly – on sweets.

Andy spent much of his working life as a welder in the shipyards, mostly in John Browns and through its changes with Marathon and UIE. But he later worked in social care. Tricia worked in admin roles including at the “county buildings” in Dumbarton, Glasgow’s parks department and then Clydebank JobCentre.

And while both have their own interests – Andy with his involvement with Old Kilpatrick Art Group, and Tricia shopping and “telling everyone how well behaved Andy is” – they still fit together.

Eldest son Paul Mooney, a BBC weather presenter in England, told the Post: “I’ve been married 27-28 years now so I have obviously picked up something from them.

“They do a lot together. They don’t have all the same interests but support each other in what they do. It’s quite a close family. It was a happy household. We’re all backwards and forwards visiting regularly.”

Between the four children, Paul, Karen, Gillian and Andrew, there are nine grandchildren and a 10th on the way within days.

Many were on hand for the celebration recently at the Abbotsford Hotel in Dumbarton, including Patricia’s brother over from Canada, but, the Post is informed, they are stretching out the party “longer than the Queen’s 90th birthday”.