Troon couple set to marry after 42 years

Dec 23 2011 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

IT’S the stuff festive fairy tales are made of.

But this Troon couple’s love story is very real.

For 42 years after love first blossomed between Hugh Forsythe and Maureen Wallace, they are set to tie the knot.

Circumstances meant that the couple went their separate ways after a four month whirlwind romance as teenagers.

But more than four decades later, Hugh, now 60, contacted Maureen through Facebook.

They started back where they left off and will get married on Friday.

Maureen said: “I still can’t believe it’s happening, it’s just wonderful.”

It was Maureen who ended the relationship with Hugh when they were teenagers.

She feared that since he was joining the Glasgow puffers she would hold him back in his sea-going career.

She explained: “We met at a Saturday night dance in the Commercial Inn, which is now Pebbles.

“He was in with his brother and sister-in-law. Seemingly he asked who I was. My pal fancied him but I thought ‘To hell with you hen, I’m getting in there.’ And that was that.

“We were together for four months then I dumped him. I loved him but I didn’t tell him that because I thought I couldn’t keep him.”

They went on to marry other people, Hugh to Anne and Maureen to Dougal Stewart, but often thought of each other.

Hugh moved back to Port Glasgow and had three children with Anne. But sadly she died leaving Hugh a widower.

Maureen ran her own shop in the town and divorced Dougal after 27 years.

But she never thought she’d end up back where she started.

She picked up her laptop one afternoon in May – which she ironically bought with money given to her by members of a singles club she used to run – and got the shock of her life.

Maureen said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw on Facebook ‘Hugh Forsythe wants to be your friend.’

“I just threw it down and went through the kitchen thinking ‘it can’t be.’

“So I emailed him back saying, ‘Are you the Hugh Forsythe who had a brother in Barassie and went with a girl from Barassie?’ He sent a message back saying ‘Yes Maureen, it’s me.’”

It was something Hugh had been wanting to do for a long time.

He said: “That wee candle was always lit. Every time I was in Troon I thought about her. I asked about her in her shop 38 years ago but the message was never passed on to her.

“I’ve never had butterflies before in my life but when I set off to meet her that day I had butterflies – by the time I got to Barassie they felt like seagulls.”

Maureen said: “We went for a drink at The Anchorage. There were no awkward moments or anything. Then we walked hand in hand to the restaurant and I just kept thinking ‘This is wonderful, I can’t believe this.’

“It’s amazing how everything has come together, we just clicked.”

And it’s more than just Hugh that Maureen has gained in her life.

For Hugh has residency of his 11-year-old grandson Dylan, who is now loving life as a first year pupil at Marr College.

Maureen said: “I was on my own for so long and now I have Dylan and the dog and we babysit Hugh’s son’s seven month old baby. So I’m nursing the baby I never thought I’d have.

“I just clicked with Dylan, if he hadn’t accepted me I would have walked away, but we get on great. He’s a really good kid.”

Maureen, who will be 62 on Christmas Eve, and Hugh will get married at Ayr Registry Office on Friday before heading to The Swan Inn for a meal.

One of Hugh’s sons will give Maureen away while the other will be best man. And wee Dylan will be ring bearer.

The couple will have a reception in January when Hugh’s family can come over from his native Northern Ireland.

Maureen concluded: “We’re so lucky to be given a second chance. Not many people get that. So much has happened in all those years, good and bad, it’s amazing we still get on and have so much in common.”