Dancing through life
Partners for a fabulous 50 years
Dancing at Stirling’s Plaza Ballroom attracted thousands of young men and women in the early 1960s with many meeting their future husbands and wives on the dance floor.
George and Betty Fleming celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on October 8 more than 50 years after they first met at the famous dance hall.
Betty (72) told the Observer she met George the first time she ever went to the Plaza.
“It was Friday, November 13, 1964 and I went to the dancing with my friends. George was there and that was that.”
George, who will celebrate his 80th birthday on November 3, was born and brought up in Raploch and worked as a miner until retirement while Betty from Bannockburn worked for a spell in Kork n’ Seal, Bridge of Allan before they moved to Tullibody after their wedding on October 8, 1966 in Bannockburn’s Ladywell Church.
The Flemings moved back to Raploch 45 years ago and live in Ochil Crescent where they raised a son, George and a daughter Linda Anne.
The family was devastated in February 2014 when young George tragically died aged just 43 while hillwalking with a pal on Dumyat. A superfit member of the Territorial Army, he suffered a heart attack on his way back down the hill.
George and Betty have three grandchildren George jnr’s daughter Taylor and Linda Anne’s children Kallan and Ethan.
The couple were treated to a trip to Blackpool for their wedding anniversary - but received the shock of their lives on arrival.
“Linda Anne called me and asked if there was anything in the room for us,” said Betty. “When I said no, she said she would get on to the hotel. Shortly after, there was a knock at the door and voice saying ‘Room service’. And when I opened the door all the family were there!”
She added: “We didn’t know anything about it but it was a lovely surprise.”
I went to the dancing with my friends. George was there and that was that