Bob and Hilary Kewley of low Ballacottier in Onchan have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.
Bob, a former TT rider and fireman, met Hilary in a Peel chip shop as they were both working in the town - Bob said they ’fell in love over a plate of chips’.
It was here that Bob served as a fireman until 1986, having previously been in the Auxiliary Fire Service.
He was one of the firefighters involved in the Summerland tragedy in 1973.
Bob raced in four TTs from 1967-70, having previously raced in three Manx Grand Prix from 1964-66 and the Southern 100 in 1958.
Over the course of his racing career he met General Franco when he competed in Spain, as well as members of the British Royal family.
It was in Kirk Michael that the couple founded their first business in 1980, Manx Riding Supplies.
They ran this shop next to their house until 1993, when they moved the business to Onchan.
Hilary said Bob did the ’donkey work’ whilst she handled the paperwork and orders.
Before that she had worked as a bank clerk from 1972 until their first son, Ken, was born in 1972.
They had four other children, Brian, Roberta, Lee and Tristan, the youngest.
They currently manage Ballacottier campsite, a business they started in 1997.
Hilary said Bob is ’in his element’ talking to their guests there during TT season, adding: ’They’re not our campers, they’re our friends’.
To celebrate their 50-year anniversary, Hilary said: ’During the day we went for a drive around, just the two of us.
’Then later we had a family meal at the Archie (pub in Onchan).’
Asked what the secret to a happy marriage is, she said: ’It’s a question of give and take’.
Bob added: ’We worked as partners.’