Couple first to tie the knot at willow cathedral
THESE newlyweds became the first couple to get married in the UK’s only willow cathedral. David Hallam, 56, and Sharon Fawcett, 58, became man and wife in front of 30 guests at the stunning 98ft long Green Cathedral, made from Somerset willow.
The picturesque landmark in Longrun Meadow, Taunton, Somerset, is the only one of its kind and has been used for public performances and picnics since it was put up in 2011.
But Saturday was the first time the stunning 54ft tall living sculpture was used for a wedding.
Coach driver David and Sharon, who live near the beauty spot, got the idea to marry there when they spotted it on a dog walk.
David popped the question to long-term partner Sharon at the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury last June.
There they met Nick Laurie, a celebrant, who would go on to marry them at the Green Cathedral.
Sharon said: “I wasn’t expecting him to propose at all.
“We got a cider to celebrate and started speaking to Nick, the manager of the cider bus.
“He congratulated us then handed me a leaflet about how he was a celebrant. He said if we ever needed his services to give him a ring.
“At the time I just popped it in the bottom of my Glastonbury bag.”
Sharon said: “We got the idea when we were walking our dog Saffy a couple of months later.
“I turned to Dave and said ‘wouldn’t it be lovely to get married here?’
“Dave asked for permission from the Long Run Association Committee who thought it was a great idea.
“We phoned Nick up and he agreed to perform the ceremony.
“It’s just such a beautiful place. Once the idea came into my head we had to go with it.”
The couple registered their wedding at Taunton Registry Office in February, just weeks before the UK was put under strict lockdown restrictions.
But luckily, they were able to marry on their planned date after Boris Johnson announced that weddings could go ahead from July 4.
“The only thing we’ve had to change is the guest list. We originally had 60 but we had to cut it down to 30 with only close friends and family,” Sharon.
“We were gutted to turn people away but we just had to work with the restrictions.
“We provided guests with all the PPE. We had hand sanitiser for them all and gave them the choice of a mask or a visor.”
The newlyweds – who both decided to retire during lockdown – will now spend their honeymoon driving to Spain where they will settle in their retirement villa.
The willow cathedral in Longrun Meadow was built in 2011 by artists Steffan Jennings and Sophie Courtier as a part of a redevelopment project for the area.
It’s just such a beautiful place. Once the idea came into my head we had to
go with it