A FAMILY connection spawned a romance which has had golden link.

With Maureen coming from Broxburn and Robert coming from Lochgelly, there was no reason for the pair to meet!

However, thanks to the family link Maureen and Robert McNeill, from Moffat Crescent, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on February 7.

Said Maureen: "I met Robert through the family link in 1966 and two years later we got married so it was all a bit different really."

But having a bit of 'give and take' has ensured a happy marriage.

Robert started work in the town's Nellie Colliery and when it closed he moved to the Michael, in the East Wemyss area.

After ten years in mining he moved to work on the construction of Longannet Power Station before going to Burntisland Shipyard where he worked as a scaffolder, and then he worked on the construction of the Exxon/Mobil plant at Mossmorran.

Once that project was complete he finished his working life at Rosyth Dockyard.

He used to be a keen bowler and he and Maureen enjoyed playing at the Lochgelly club in North Street, but an arm injury forced him to have to give the sport up.

Maureen started her working career with Babygro at their Glencraig factory and then moved with the company to Cowdenbeath. After son Stephen grew up she worked at Glenlomond and Lynebank hospitals.

The couple, who celebrated their golden wedding with an party at Broad Street Bowling Club, in Cowdenbeath, have Stephen, grandsons Ryan, Jake and Kyle, and greatgrandson Hudson.