by Nicola Brown

DESPITE the popularity of Cilla Black's 90's gameshow, Blind Dates are rarely thought to be the start of lasting relationships.

But defying the odds, Robert and Maureen Carson's blind date was the start of many more to come.

Having just celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary on Saturday at Lodge Barns O' Clyde, their long lasting relationship is testament to their commitment.

The young couple met in 1961 when Robert was 23 and Maureen 20. Without so much as a picture of the other, they agreed to a date, doubling up with mutual friend, Danny McLaughlin and Annette McFadden where they all went to watch western flick, The Alamo, at the cinema.

And the rest, as they say, was history.

After five years together, wedding bells rang in 1966 at St Stephen's Church in Clydebank where the two tied the knot, followed by a reception at Parkhall Tenants Hall.

Whilst Robert worked at Woolworths when the two first met, he went on to enjoy a career as a black cab driver in Clydebank, before loving his work as a janitor at Glasgow University for twelve years before retirement.

Maureen worked as a machine operator before retiring at 39 due to ill health.

The couple have two sons, Gary and Craig, and are proud grandparents to 16 year old Ryan and their two step grandchildren, Zach and Ellie.

Due to ill health Robert is not as active as he once was, but likes old cowboy films and is fond of a wee whisky or two. Maureen enjoys going to the bingo and also attends the ladies club at Singers Bowling Club.

Speaking to the Post, Robert and Maureen's son, Gary, said: "They're fabulous parents, ensuring me and my brother had a great upbringing. We were working class, but they made sure my brother and I wanted for nothing.

"My brother, Craig, has suffered from quite a lot of medical issues including testicular cancer, but they have both been rocks for him despite having medical issues of their own.

"They're now amazing grandparents to my son, Ryan, and two step children, Zach and Ellie."