GORDON and Sheila Trimming were married at St Lawrence Church, Alton on June 17, 1950, and will be celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary today – albeit without the family gathering they had hoped.

Sheila lived in the Eight Bells and Gordon nearby in Victoria Road – but didn’t know each other until they met through Alton Cycling Club in 1949.

Together, they enjoyed the Sunday cycle rides – destinations included Bournemouth, Bognor, Hayling Island and Windsor – and their romance blossomed.

Gordon and Sheila bought their first home in Butts Road, then moved to Chawton Park Road with their two young children, Frances and Julian.

They both lived and worked in Alton, Gordon at Watneys brewery and Sheila at Curtis and Watson and later at Eggar’s School.

After the children left home Gordon and Sheila travelled around the UK and Europe in their camper van.

They were great walkers and a familiar sight on many of the footpaths linking Alton to surrounding villages.

They have three grandchildren and one great grandchild living in Switzerland – with Gordon now aged 91, and Sheila 88.

Daughter Frances said she had hoped to treat her parents to a weekend stay in Windsor – but the family’s plans have been put on hold because of the pandemic.

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