Wickham community braves storms to celebrate church's 900th year with wedding fair

People who married at St Nicholas Church, Wickham, rekindled their special day over the Valentine’s Day weekend.

Men and women who took their vows from as far back as 65 years ago were present alongside people who tied the knot just last summer – with many women throwing on their old wedding frocks.

Among those was Blanche Hunt, who married her late husband John in the coronation year of 1953. ‘They met at the church in 1948 before getting married five years later,’ organiser Jane Goulson said.

‘Blanche is a Wickham girl who is now 86 years old but she still rings the bell tower. That’s what the event is all about; it’s a celebration of love after it was Valentine’s Day on Friday. It’s an opportunity for people to hold hands and hearts and remember loved ones.’

The church was founded in 1120 and has been a pillar of the community ever since. ‘It is the first event of the year to celebrate the church being here for 900 years,’ Jane said. ‘The village has evolved a lot over the years but the heart is still the same.’

Garments from as far back as the 1920s – including shoes and veils – were on display alongside wedding gowns from over the years.

The event also included a moving service and saw a choir performing before the cake was cut and people enjoyed some bubbly.

Curate Ruth Howlett-Shipley said: ‘It’s nice to do something different and involve a lot of people who are not regular churchgoers. We want to be an active part of the community so we’re very happy with this idea for an event which Jane came up with.’

It was certainly appreciated by those in attendance with couples reliving their special day. Among those were Brenda and Peter Turner, aged 86 and 92 respectively, who made the journey from near Dorchester, Dorset, having previously lived in Wickham.

Brenda said: ‘It’s just fantastic. We were both widowed and then met each other and got married on May 22, 1993, here.

‘I was wearing a cream suit back then. It was quite a discreet dress whereas these days they are more revealing.’

Peter added: ‘We coincidentally bumped into some of the organisers who told us about the anniversary. It’s been nice to renew our associations.

‘A lot has changed but a lot remains the same since we got married.’

Events are planned every month this year to mark the 900th anniversary of the church.