Popular Beith couple Sandy Shearer and Isabel Wilson are set to celebrate their diamond wedding.

Isabel and Sandy met some 70 years ago at the regular dances held at YMCA Glengarnock when they were teenagers.

Sandy attended Beith Primary and Spiers School whilst Isabel attended Glengarnock Primary and Spiers.

Isabel trained as an audio typist with Twinlock Office Equipment Glasgow, going on to become a retail manager with SSEB/Scottish Power until retirement. 

Sandy started his working life on a part-time basis whilst still at school, helping as a van boy with Beith Co-op around 1953/54.

He then served his apprenticeship as an electrical engineer working with James Kilpatrick and Sons, Paisley and later with BOCM, Renfrew, where he remained until retirement.

Isabel enjoys keep fit and for many years was the organiser of the Beith Keep Fit/Fifty Club which had fun and friendship as a main focus whilst keeping fit which was simply part of the fun. She also enjoys line dancing and zumba.

Sandy is known to support a football team down Govan way and is also a keen bowler. For many years he took charge of the Beith youth bowling project.

On their anniversary they will celebrate by spending a relaxing weekend with family, having already held a special family get-together.

Sandy said: “Making Isabel think that she’s the boss whilst mostly getting my own way seems to work quite well, but don’t tell her that, please!”

Isabel, asked the same question, responded: “Making Sandy think that he’s the boss whilst I always get my own way is definitely a strategy that works well for me and he knows it and better not forget it. That’s the secret of a happy marriage!” 

The happy couple have two married daughters: Gillian to Ronnie and Joanne to George and daughter Elaine.

They also have three grand-daughters, Sarah, Mhari and Lauren and two grandsons, Scott and Grant.