Town toasts Royal couple on big day
ROYAL wedding fever swept Stockport this weekend with the borough’s very own Windsor Castle at the heart of the action.
The Marple Bridge pub - which shares its name with the venue where Prince Harry married Meghan Markle on Saturday - hosted a party to toast the happy couple.
Licensee Jo Farrell decorated the packed pub with flags, bunting and memorabilia, had the wedding on every TV and served up afternoon tea and cake.
There was also a collection for the Help for Heroes charity.
Jo 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. We’ve been having tea and cake and it’s been fabulous.”
The event was one of many in Stockport with street parties taking place that involved road closures.
They included: Coral Road, Cheadle Hulme; Earl Road, Heaton Moor; Hurdsfield Road, Great Moor; Langdale Close and Cartmel Close, Offerton; Longnor Road, Hazel Grove and Platt Street in Cheadle.
And residents at Abney Court care home, in Cheadle, had two bites of the cherry - with a wedding party on Saturday following a Meghan’s hen-do bash on the Friday.
Tracy Mitchell, manager at the home, said: “Celebrating Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding day was not only a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together, but it’s also a great reminiscence activity for residents – particularly for those living with dementia.
“Many of the residents love to talk about the Queen and her life, so celebrating the marriage of her youngest grandson is a great talking point for us.”
Among the businesses that held a party was LSH Auto on Greek Street, Shaw Heath, with staff decorating the office with flags and a Harry and Meghan cutout.
There were also Royalthemed quizzes and games.
At the younger end of the age scale children at Greenbank Nursery in Cheadle Hulme celebrated by recreating the kiss between the newlyweds.
Charlotte Rothwell played the role of Meghan while Archie Schofield was Harry.
Nursery leader Erin White said: “The Royal Wedding gave us a chance to talk to the children about relationships and the role of the Royal Family in British life.”
“Archie was quite happy to kiss Charlotte, who was perhaps just a little less enthusiastic. One can only hope Harry fares better.”
And shoppers were forced to do a double-take when Royal couple looka-likes Sarah Mhlanga and Henry Morley took a stroll around Stockport Market.