THERE have been golden wedding celebrations in King's Coughton this week as Reginald and Dorothy Covey celebrated 50 years of married life.

Mr and Mrs Covey, aged 73 and 74 respectively, welcomed family and friends to their home in King's Coughton Lane where they have lived for the past 15 years.

Born in France to a French mother and English father, Mr Covey moved to the Buckinghamshire village of Mentmore in 1946 where he met his wife-to-be at a social evening. They were married at St Mary's parish church on May 2, 1953, and went to live in France.

A year later Mr Covey decided to follow in his father's footsteps with the commonwealth war graves commission and the couple spent many years travelling to places including Belgium, Italy and Africa.

Mr Covey was transferred to Leamington two years before his retirement, and the couple settled into a new life in Alcester with involvement in a number of the local organisations including the gardening club and Alcester in Bloom.

They have four children - David, twins Ann and Lynn, and Sandra - and four grandchildren.

Life in the Covey household has not always been full of entente cordiale.

Family and friends from both sides of the channel joined in the celebrations at a party at Alcester Rugby Club on Saturday night.