We have quite a number of weddings at Vale Royal during the course of a
year, but the one on 14 October stands out in my memory.
The bride and groom live in South Africa and have enjoyed long happy
marriages in that country. After
both had lost their partners they met up again after several years.
Gladys van Standen grew up near Tunbridge Wells and she and her family
remember Sunday School events at Vale Royal, although they worshipped regularly
in Pembury.
Gladys wanted a family wedding, so she and John came to England for two
months. They stayed with Gladys’
mother and attended several services at Vale Royal.
This “third age” wedding was a delight to those of us involved.
It was lovely to see many of the family coming to the rehearsal and
taking such an interest in the preparations, and then on the day participating
fully in the service. The reception was held downstairs in the newly painted hall,
which was made to look very welcoming by the excellent caterers.
Although this was a stylish wedding, there was an unusually
relaxed wedding atmosphere — even down to the bride arriving in a
minibus cab and waiting in the rain while her escort settled the fare.
Jenny Evans