EASTER Ross couple Kathleen and James Scrace have both reached a special milestone this spring, celebrating their 90th birthday a month apart.
Jim had his special birthday on April 7 and Kay will celebrate her 90th on May 11.
Jim, originally from Battersea, London, worked as an engineering apprentice before moving to Lancashire in 1942 and eventually becoming a configuration engineer at Avros (later Hawker Siddeley), Chadderton, Lancashire.
He worked on the Lancaster, and Lincoln which were particularly famous Avro designs.
Kay was employed in a clerical capacity, working her way to a senior administration position at Oldhams Boundry Park Hospitals Antenatal Clinic, where she worked under Mr Patrick Steptoe, obstetrician, gynaecologist and pioneer, along with Robert Edwards, who developed in vitro fertilization.
Jim met Kay at a dance in Chadderton Town Hall in 1942. Jim said, I asked her for a dance and we have never been parted since.
They had four children Tony, Pauline, Ann and David but unfortunately Tony died in infancy.
When the children eventually flew the coup they decided to live The Good Life and moved to Dyfed in mid Wales to a small holding. After several years the sun beckoned and they moved to the Algarve.
They returned to the UK in 1999 to be near their daughters who both live in Ross-shire. The pair now live at the Highland Park Village in Barbaraville.
Kay and Jim have been married 68 years and still enjoy dancing and occasionally they still tread the boards.
