On song for their golden wedding anniversary next Tuesday are well-known Tenby couple, Pauline and Bernard Allen.

Both retired teachers, Pauline and Bernard, of Shalom, 51 Upper Hill Park, first met at a dance in Tenby's De Valence Pavilion in 1948.

At that time Bernard was based at Manorbier with the Army Education Corps, while Pauline, the daughter of Dolly and Robert Osborne, of the Jazz Radio, was home for Easter from college in Swansea where she was training to be a teacher.

"It was the ladies invitation and Pauline asked me to dance, but I was feeling so tired at the time and at first I said no," explained Bernard this week.

"But as she was walking back around the room, I changed my mind and went after her and accepted. She danced as light as a feather; when she spoke I thought I could live with that voice and we've been dancing ever since," he smiled.

Love between the couple blossomed and they were married on April 8, 1953, at St. Mary's Church, Tenby, where Pauline was also christened and confirmed.

Apparently, though, Bernard never actually proposed.

"We just took it for granted we were going to get married," said Pauline.

After a reception at the town's Royal Gatehouse Hotel, the couple headed for Bernard's native Bolton, where they made their home during their early married life, despite Pauline returning to Tenby for a week to complete a teaching contract at Greenhill School.

In January 1956, Pauline and Bernard and their young children, twins Judy and Michael, returned to Pembrokeshire, moving to Hawkstone Road, Pembroke Dock.

A keen sportsman, Bernard was appointed head of physical education at the Coronation School.

When the twins were five, Pauline returned to teaching and after working in the PE department at Greenhill School, she went on to teach English and music, until the birth of the couple's third son, David.

When he reached the age of a toddler, Pauline began teaching at the Coronation School as well, and after a spell at Pembroke Comprehensive, they both retired in the early 1980s.

Well-known in musical circles, Pauline, a founder member of Tenby Players, and Bernard have been involved in countless amateur dramatic productions over the years.

After founding the Sea Scout movement in Tenby, Bernard encouraged Pauline to produce the Gang Shows to raise money for the Scouts and Guides.

The popular shows, featuring a cast of around 400 youngsters, proved a huge success and in total 10 were produced over an 11-year period.

Affectionately known as 'Aunty Pauline' to many, Pauline, who has also taught piano, more recently directed many productions for Tenby-based Stagestruck and now she still enjoys playing the piano for musical group, Stage Two.

A member of the Pembroke Dock masonic lodge, Bernard acted as Pauline's 'roadie' for many years, working tirelessly behind the scenes, and also starred along with other members of the family on stage in some of the shows.

Pauline and Bernard's daughter Judy, a teacher at Netherwood School, Saundersfoot, is married to Greenhill teacher John Morgan, and they also live in Upper Hill Park; her twin brother Michael is a sergeant in the police force based in Haverfordwest. He lives in Pembroke with his wife Pauline, while youngest son David is also in the police force. He is based in Tenby and is married to Sue, also a serving police constable in Tenby.

Pauline and Bernard also have three grandchildren, Rhian, Gareth and Nicholas.

Although they agreed they did not have a recipe for a long and happy marriage, Pauline and Bernard admitted that having a 'mutual sense of humour', together with a 'good helping of toleration' had contributed to their 50 happy years.

The couple will be celebrating their special anniversary with a family dinner, but as a curtain-raiser to their celebrations they will be having an 'open house' on Sunday afternoon at their daughter Judy's home at 80 Upper Hill Park, Tenby, to which all friends are invited.