A HEDDON couple whose lives together began with a song are celebrating 60 years in happy harmony.

Ken and Stella Patterson met when carol singing in 1952.

Now 84 and 81 years old respectively, the couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on January 28.

Both Ken and Stella grew up in Lemington, Newcastle, and met during a Christmas carol concert at the Holy Saviour Church.

Stella said: “Ken walked me home after the service.

“We were carol singing the next day at an old people’s home and he walked me home again – he’s been walking me home ever since.”

After completing his studies at Newcastle University, in late 1955 Ken began his National Service.

The couple were married on January 28, 1956, the same day that Ken was commissioned into the Royal Artillery and posted to Wales.

On December 30, 1956 the couple’s first child, Susan was born.

In 1957 the couple established their own home in Westerhope, with their son, John, joining the family in 1960.

After leaving the forces in 1957, Ken went on to enjoy a long career in education, beginning as a science and mathematics teacher at Lemington Grammar School which became the Walbottle Campus in 1959.

He went on to teach geography and geology at Walbottle and was promoted to senior teacher in 1972.

Throughout his career he was also active in the Territorial Army, eventually leaving as a major in 1968.

Despite retiring in 1988, Ken worked up to his 80th birthday, teaching geology with Newcastle and Sunderland universities and the Hancock Museum Natural History Society.

Ken’s work as a teacher saw the couple embark on numerous school expeditions to foreign climes, with Stella often accompanying the group if no female teacher was available.

And this yen for globe-trotting has followed the couple throughout their married lives.

They have racked up an impressive itinerary of adventurous holidays including a trip up the Matterhorn and an exploratory expedition to mountains and volcanoes of the Swiss Alps.

They are currently planning a final trip across Canada – to explore Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Labrador before putting their walking boots to rest.

In 1981, keen for some fresh air and green and pleasant views, Ken and Stella moved to Heddon-on-the-Wall.

A member of the Red Cross since her teens, after moving to the village Stella became deeply involved with the Women’s Institute, even enjoying a stint as president.

On their wedding anniversary the couple invited friends from the local area to celebrate with them at home.

And on Sunday, a celebratory peal of bells was rung at their local church, St Oswin’s in Wylam.

They then enjoyed a meal at Close House Hotel with their family, including four grand-daughters, Helen (33), Alexandra (29), Holly (26) and Heather (17).

Ken and Stella attribute their six decades of happy married life to their similar tastes.

Ken said: “We have interests in the same direction, we like the same kind of holidays and the same kind of music.

“We’ve been to a lot of places together and have enjoyed a lot of fun times together.”

Stella said:”We have dozens of giggles together every day and we still love each other.”