POPULAR Lochore couple Jean and Joe Paterson will end 2017 by celebrating their diamond wedding on Thursday.

Joe, Abbotsford Road, has been active in the Benarty community for over 40 years being a councillor, community councillor and also chairman of the Lochore and District Old People's Welfare Council over four decades.

Jean was born and brought up in Lochgelly's Happyland while Joe spent his early years in Maddison, near Falkirk.

With the Stirlingshire coal industry seeing pits shut Joe's family moved to Lochore where his dad started work at the Mary Colliery.

When he left school Joe went to work on the railways but after being told that his eyesight was not good enough he went into coal mining.

He was underground for six years at the Mary before going to work in the pit workshop.

Then in 1962 he went to work in the Central Workshops, in Cowdenbeath, where he was to stay until the 1984-85 strike.

He left the industry after the dispute ended and by that time he had been active in local politics for some time.

He recalled: "I joined the SNP in 1962 and was persuaded to stand in the council elections of 1973.

"I was elected to serve on Lochgelly District Council for Crosshill and then under re-organisation stood for Dunfermline District Council and was fortunate enough to be elected."

It started a long time working relationship with then Regional Councillor for Ballingry, Willie Clarke, who just last year retired after 43 years as a councillor.

Added Joe: "I worked alongside Willie for almost 30 years and while we did not always agree on issues we both enjoyed working for the Benarty community.

"I was on Dunfermline District Council for 23 years and when Fife Council was created I was elected to that and left the political arena in 2000."

He then joined Benarty Community Council and was secretary of the organisation for a good many years.

He also worked on the establishment of BRAG in the late 1980s and has also been chairman of Lochore and District Old People's Welfare Council for over 40 years.

After the couple's three children, James, Robert and Janette, grew up she went out to work in the Phillips Electrical Factory in Dunfermline, and had other part-time jobs over the years.

The couple now also have five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

What is the secret of a long marriage? Said Jean: "Following your own interests and having a lot of tolerance helps."

Added Joe: "Always having a sense of fair play is important."

Jean and Joe will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday with a special family lunch at Dunfermline's Garvock House Hotel.