A COUPLE of walking enthusiasts have celebrated the 50th anniversary of their first meeting, which came about thanks in part to the Somerset County Gazette.

John Sutton founded the Somerset Walking Club, which had its first outing on the Quantock Hills on Valentine’s Day 1965.

His wife, Deirdre, who he met as a direct result of starting the club, was on that first walk.

John had advertised the club in the Gazette, with over half of the 70 people who responded going on that first walk.

A group of 61current and previous members celebrated the club’s golden anniversary with a lunch at Crowcombe Village Hall, along with an exhibition of photos and folk music from Gibby Swain and Steve Graham, following walks around the Quantocks.

The club today has over 100 members, with weekly walks on Sundays and Bank Holidays, and plans to complete the whole Parrett Trail on the Somerset Levels.