BALLADS sung by a Horrabridge couple?s grandson were one of the highlights of a golden day last weekend.

Bert and Sheila Greatrex (pictured right) celebrated 50 years of marriage with a big sit-down meal at Tavistock Golf Club for 58 family members and friends. Their grandson, Scott Allen, a keen singer and member of a local drama group, brought a few tears to their eyes when he sang a selection of ballads for the happy couple.

Bert, who originally comes from Dorset, married Sheila at All Saints Church in Dorset. The couple met at a dance in Buckland Monachorum when Bert was in the army, working at Plasterdown Camp.

They moved to Horrabridge 44 years ago ? Bert served two years in the police force before joining the staff at HMP Dartmoor, while Sheila, a qualified nursery nurse, worked as a teaching assistant at Knowle Primary School in Plymouth.

The couple have three children ? Carrisa, Christopher and Philip ? and six grandchildren.

Now retired, Bert enjoys letter-boxing on Dartmoor and is a member of Yelverton Bowling Club. Sheila is an active member of Horrabridge WI and keeps fit by doing aquaerobics at Meadowlands in Tavistock.

Instead of presents at their special anniversary party, the couple asked for donations to charity and were delighted to be able to send £300 to the Children?s Hospice South West.