MUSIC spawned a romance that has stood the test of time.

On Friday Lochgelly couple, Margaret and Bill Paul, who;ive in Main Street, celebrated their golden wedding after meeting through Lochgelly and District Amateur Musical Association almost 60 years ago.

Bill's mum and dad were founder members and he was persuaded to get involved in 1956 as a stage hand.

Cowdenbeath girl Margaret joined LADAMA a little later and met Bill through the 'Lochgelly Musical' social scene but it was not until 1966 that they started going out together regularly.

They were engaged in 1967 and married on Friday May 17 1969.

Said Bill: "While I started as part of the stage crew my voice got stronger after I came out of National Service in 1960 and started to appear in shows.

"I really enjoyed it and Margaret also loved being part of shows and there is no doubt that the 'musical' has been a massive facet of our lives."

Between then Margaret and Bill have been part of LADAMA for 124 years and they both are proud of having their NODA Diamond Pins for passing 60 years service.

Added Margaret: "I just enjoyed being part of shows whether it be dancing, in the chorus or having a part.

"More recently I have enjoyed directing the company and now I am working with the LADAMA Theatre School who are putting on The Little Mermaid at Lochgelly Centre at the start of July."

Margaret directed 17 shows and will still be helping out behind the scenes for the 2019 production of Evita at the end of May.

Bill has played several major roles with LADAMA and his favourites were Jud Fry in Oklahoma and Alfred P Doolittle in My Fair Lady.

His deep voice lended himself to the role playing 'baddies' he recalled.

Like Margaret, Bill has been president for 19 successive years, will be involved in Evita, but at the front of the house.

Workwise Bill worked with Westwaters, the publishers of the Lochgelly Times and Cowdenbeath Advertiser, and then A Romanes and Son, when they took over the two local papers and was to continue with them until his retiral.

Having started her working life in the Co-op, Margaret spent several with the Post Office until the birth of the couple's son Graeme, before later moving to work with the TSB in the former branch in Main Street.

Away from the Lochgelly Musical Bill has always been a keen bowler and is a member of Lochgelly Bowling Club and has been a Dunfermline Athletic fan since 1960, while Margaret is a volunteer with Benarty Foodbank and sings with a choir in Kirkcaldy.

While Graeme did not have the same involvement with LADAMA as his mum and dad, he had a spell working with the stage crew and the couple's granddaughters are in the Theatre School and enjoying it.