A popular Island couple are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary today.

Mike and Pamela Brown, of Anne Boleyn Close, Eastchurch, have spent 50 years of marriage together.

The pair met as teenagers through a youth club in Lewisham, when Pamela was in the Girls’ Brigade and Mike was in the Boys’ Brigade.

After speaking, they discovered their mothers were old friends and had worked together for a long time.

They married at Brown Hill Road Baptist Church in Catford.

At the time, Pamela was in the typing pool for Lloyds in London and Mike was working as a clerk for a shipping line.

Soon after the nuptials, they bought a new end-terrace house in Rainham for £3,400.

They had saved £350 for a deposit during their engagement by buying goods from a wholesaler and selling them to friends and family.

They spent five years there before moving to Minster in 1970, where Mike, 72, and Pamela, 71, raised three children Jane Watkins, Andrew Brown and Julie Hursall.

They also have five grandchildren, Hannah, 18, Ben, 17, Lucy, 15 and twins Luke and Milly, 12.

Former borough councillor Mike, who is chairman of Sheppey Matters and an Eastchurch parish councillor, said: “The past 50 years have been good fun. We’ve done a lot and we’ve both worked hard over the years.

“Our advice is to talk to each other. Any problems, talk them over and don’t make hasty decisions.

“Don’t be worried about interests that don’t involve both of you. Have friends, have lots of friends. Don’t live in each other’s pockets 24/7.

“You then enjoy the times together a bit more over the years.”

The couple are having a get-together for family and friends, including people they know from the youth club days and the best man and bridesmaids from their wedding.

• Are you, or is somebody you know, set to celebrate a landmark birthday or anniversary? Don’t forget to let us know by calling the newsroom on 01795 580300.