How Manchester toasted Harry and Meghan
THE bunting was out in force as revellers held street parties to celebrate the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Families made the most of the sunshine with outdoor events, tea parties and plenty of Harry and Meghan face masks as they toasted the noon wedding of the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Road closures were in place on residential roads across the region, as neighbours got together to celebrate in style.
And while Windsor Castle was at the heart of the action, regulars at its namesake pub in Marple Bridge were also out in force to celebrate. Licensee Joe Farrell hosted a royal wedding party, complete with plenty of tea and cake. The pub was festooned with bunting and the wedding was being shown on every television.
Joe said: “We’ve opened our doors to all our customers, friends and neighbours. We are a community pub. We’ve welcomed everyone in to watch the wedding and it’s brought the community together. It has been fabulous.”
There was an extra special element to a royal wedding party in Heywood. The event, at the Albany, was a charity event raising money for Grace’s Place children’s hospice in Bury, organised by a group of fundraisers called ‘Grace’s Angels.’ Partygoers watched the wedding before having afternoon tea.
Organiser Sarah Ford said: “This is the first of our fundraising events. It’s a great way to bring people together. Everyone is dressed up.”
The ladies of Fusilier Court flats in Bury were also celebrating – especially after their action helped communities to be able to watch the royal wedding for free.
The Residents Association had planned to host a party in their communal lounge, so everyone could watch the event together. But when they discovered that such premises must be covered by a television licence to show live broadcasts, they feared it wouldn’t go ahead. The residents association spoke to their MP, James Frith, who raised the matter in parliament, and the BBC waived the licence fee.
Association secretary Christine Lister said: “I was surprised but I’m delighted that it’s going to help other people.
“It’s not the same watching something like this on your own. It’s nice being with friends and neighbours for it.”