A DEVOTED Port couple marked their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their marriage vows with a private mass — at the Vatican in Rome.

John and Betty Duncan, who tied the knot on this day back in 1965, said it was incredible to say ‘I do’ again in the stunning St Peter’s Basilica.

The soulmates, from Milton Road, were joined by their eldest grandson Ryan Black, who is currently training to be a priest at the Pontifical Scots College in Rome.

Betty told the Tele: “It was such a special moment because it was something so personal to us.

“Ryan organised it for us and Father Mark Cassidy, who is the spiritual director of the Scots College, said the mass.

“It was really wonderful and something we’ll never forget.” A special dinner was also organised for John and Betty at the Scots College, which was attended by Ryan and fellow Inverclyde seminarian Jonathan Whitworth.

Betty added: “Father Daniel Fitzpatrick, who is rector of the Scots College, stood up and proposed a toast to us for our 50th wedding anniversary.

“Then all the priests stood up and started singing a Latin song called ‘Ad Multos Annos’.

“It was amazing.” It was back in 1964 when John, 76, and Betty, 70, first met at the Cragburn dance hall in Gourock.

Betty recalls: “Everyone used to go to the Cragburn and at that time it was music from the likes of The Beatles, Adam Faith and The Rolling Stones that was played.

“It was the night before Christmas eve when I met John.

“I then invited him to join me and my family at midnight mass the following night and from then on we began dating.” Ten months later, on 28 October 1965, the duo walked down the aisle at the former St Mungo’s Church in Gibshill Road.

Betty said: “Father John Boyle married us; he was a lovely priest.

“I used to run the cubs so after the service we came outside and the cubs were there to give us a guard of honour.

“It was also snowing, which was quite unusual weather for October!

“Afterwards, we had a reception at the British Legion Club in Port Glasgow before going on honeymoon up north.” The couple set up home in Sidlaw Avenue and went on to have five daughters, Joan, Angela, Sharon, Pamela and Liza.

John, who worked in his brother’s butcher’s shop J. Duncan in Port town centre for 30 years, and Betty, who was latterly employed in the canteen at the Royal Bank of Scotland Mortgage Centre in Greenock, moved to Bardrainney Avenue before settling in Milton Road.

After 50 years of married bliss, the couple say the secret to a happy marriage is simple.

John said: “Communication is the key.

“If there’s nothing on the TV then turn it off and talk to each other.” The couple, who have seven grandchildren, will mark their special anniversary today by meeting up with their family before attending mass at St Francis’ Church in Port Glasgow, where Father Eoin Patten will bless them.