TWO motorcycle enthusiasts who also had a penchant for tractors and flowers have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Ken and Thelma Ree married in Little Marcle Church, in Herefordshire, on November 12 1955, where Mrs Ree had been a choir member for many years.

Later they left for a honeymoon in London where they visited the motorcycle show. Both had ridden motorcycles and Mr Ree had become a successful trials rider, gaining medals for his country.

The couple first met aged 14 and 15 at a village concert organised by the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. After leaving school Mr Ree began a five-year apprenticeship with a tractor dealership in Ledbury, which was another of his loves, while Mrs Ree went into service for the Tooby family, in Putley.

They settled into married life and had one son, Keith. In 1964 they moved to the Cotswolds and then later, to Offenham, after Mr Ree had been headhunted by a major tractor manufacturer as a technical engineer; a job which saw him travelling the world.

At this time, Mrs Ree became an assistant in the domestic science room at Blackminster School. She remained there for five years until the school became a middle school. She then moved to Owen and Owen in Evesham High Street. The couple moved to Badsey Road, in Evesham, in 1993, and Mrs Ree joined Bengeworth Church where she remains and active member.

Mrs Ree had always been a keen gardener and loved flower arranging. She competed in many competitions and flower festivals in surrounding churches and cathedrals and is now an honorary member of Offenham Floral Art Society. She was also chairman of Evesham Floral Art Society for two years.

When the company Mr Ree worked for went into receivership the couple decided to start their own tractor business in Aldington and later in Badsey. The little red tractor logo seen on our food packages today came from their Badsey business.

Today the couple, who have one son, Keith, and two granddaughters, Abbie and Hollie, enjoy being outside in their garden.

The couple say it is their strong loving relationship that has carried them through the highs and lows of 60 years of marriage and say they are looking forward to many more years together.