FEW marriages make it through 65 years, but a couple from Hexham have made it to their blue sapphire wedding anniversary.

Dennis and Hazel Scott celebrated the milestone on August 5.

Hazel explained how she met Dennis when she was just 15.

“I was a grammar school girl on the train homing home, and here was this chap in air force uniform.

“We got off the train and he asked me if I was going to the dance – and I said yes.

“We kept in touch while he was away in the air force and I was at college, and we got engaged on my 21st birthday.”

Hazel and Dennis lived in various locations around the North-East. Initially, they lived in a caravan in Hexham, before moving to a farm near Ponteland and then on to Lockerbie in Scotland – before settling back in Hexham.

Both are well-known in Tynedale – Hazel was headteacher at Hexham East First School, while Dennis has worked as an auctioneer across almost every mart in Northumberland.

Dennis said: “I was an auctioneer for 60 years in just about every mart in Northumberland.

“I moved to Hexham to manage the Tynedale Auction Market where the hospital now stands.”

Hazel added: “I’ve taught in Longbenton, Ponteland, and Lockerbie academy. I was headteacher at a village school in Dumfries and then I taught at Hexham East.”

The couple have lived in the same house for 52 years. They also have two sons – Robert and Roger – and four grandchildren.

When asked what the secret to a long and happy marriage was, Dennis said: “We’ve been lucky health-wise, the whole family has.

“The thing I would say is that every time I’m wrong, I admit it!”

Hazel added: “Like everybody else, we have our ups and downs, but we’ve enjoyed every moment. We’re very lucky with our family, we’ve kept busy, and we have lovely friends. I would say tolerance is important, and a sense of humour too.”