MEETING at the Sunday night dancing at Bowhill Centre has a sparkling sequel this week when Jeanette and Archie Fotheringham celebrate their diamond wedding.

Ballingry teenager Jeanette and Lochgelly lad Archie were both 16 when they enjoyed the Sunday evening dances in Bowhill.

That was in 1956 and a year later, on November 15 1957, the couple, who stay in Cartmore Road, Lochgelly, married in St Andrews Church, in Bank Street.

Archie worked in the building trade for the best part of 20 years, but a slump in the industry in 1976 saw him join the National Coal Board as a bricklayer at Solsgirth Mine, and he was to work there until 1995 when the coal industry started to wind down.

He went back into the building trade and spent a decade back building homes before he retired.

Indeed, his construction skills saw him get involved in junior football, helping out at local clubs and he spent a lot of time involved in the upgrade of Ore Park to junior standards for Ballingry Rovers' step up from the amateur ranks.

Said Archie: "I was asked if I could help out and I was happy to do that.

"I have enjoyed watching football since a young lad so it was interesting see the Rovers move from amateur level to the juniors and they did really well, so it was sad to see them go out of existence a few years back."

Apart from football Archie is a keen walker.

Jeanette was brought up in Ballingry and worked for the Co-op on leaving school, but when the couple's family arrived she had to give up to look after their two sons.

However, when Archie and Andrew grew up she went back to work for the Co-op and then latterly at the Weathermac factory, in Auchterderran Road.

Jeanette is a very keen reader and loves browsing in the new library at Lochgelly Centre and also enjoys taking on crosswords.

The couple also liked travelling in the United States when younger and took on bus tours all over the States.

What is the couple's secret of a long happy marriage? They said: "If you fall out, fall back in again as soon as possible."

Jeanette and Archie, who also have a grand-daughter, celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a week in Blackpool and this weekend will host a family meal.