A HILL OF BEATH couple celebrated their Platinum wedding anniversary last month. 

William (Billy) and Mary Paterson of Torbeith Gardens marked seven decades of love and marriage on April 30 at Hill of Beath Club. 

Billy who is 90 years old, was born in the village. He left school at 15 to work in the pits and worked at Fordell Colliery pithead before going to work underground at Lindsay, Castlehill and Castlebridge. 

He later left the pit to work as a labourer at Rosyth Dockyard and retired from there in 1999.

Mary, 89, who was raised in Lumphinnans and left school at 15 to work as a weaver at Winterthur Factory in Dunfermline. 

The pair met while out Dancing at the Hill of Beath Institute and married in 1954 at the Beath Manse. 

Mary left the factory when she married and went on to have their children Ann, Margaret, Gary and the late William.  She later went on to work at Castleblair from where she retired in 1991. The couple now have four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Billy now spends much of his time watching sport on TV, crosswords and socialising at Hill of Beath Club on a Saturday night with Mary and their friends. 

And when they're not out on the town, Mary enjoys her garden. 

They celebrated their anniversary with a small informal gathering on Saturday at Hill of Beath Club with visits from family and friends on the day of their anniversary. 

Also visiting to mark the occasion were Cllr Alex Campbell, presenting a gift voucher on behalf of the Council, and Fiona Robertson, Vice Lord-Lieutenant, representing the Fife Lieutenancy.