Couple plan special trip on to the water
“I won a trip for 10 people, so this time Richie and I will be going aboard as a very happily married couple and taking our friends with us Becky Gibbons
A COUPLE who got engaged in the middle of the River Towy estuary are planning a special trip back on to the water this year.
Becky and Richie Gibbons from Ferryside, were on the Glansteffan Ferry, which links the villages of Llansteffan and Ferryside, when Richie popped the question during the summer of 2019 and they tied the knot in October of that year.
Fast forward to the end of 2020 and Becky won a prize draw for her and up to nine friends and family to have a ferry trip when it comes back into service once Covid-19 restrictions allow.
The prize was among several initiatives launched last year by the fundraising group Friends of Glansteffan Ferry to raise money for the service after the pandemic swept in, forcing the suspension of trips.
Remembering the bright June morning of two years ago, Becky said Richie was outside her window gesticulating for her to come with him.
She added: “I opened the door and he said ‘I need you to come with me right away.’
“A few minutes later we were down at the beach watching the ferry on her penultimate crossing of the day, returning from Llansteffan.
“Richie was adamant we needed to get on the ferry once it arrived and have a trip back across the water.
“I protested that there would be no time to walk up to Llansteffan Castle once we arrived, as it would be Glansteffan’s last run of the day.
“But he was positive that we just needed the joy of a trip, to feel the wind and the rocking of the waves and so on.”
Becky agreed, having a love for the ferry and having had many happy trips on board. However, this trip would prove extra special.
She said: “The trip across was lovely but uneventful, and on the return journey I wondered whether we had broken down when Glansteffan came to a halt mid-estuary.”
The crew seemed unconcerned and it was then that Richie sprung the surprise.
Becky said: “Richie produced a little box from his pocket and offered me an engagement ring. “I said ‘yes’ and the ferry restarted.
“It was a moment I will never, ever forget and one of the happiest moments of my life, aboard my favourite little boat of all, looking out from the water towards our home village of Ferryside. Glansteffan has a special place in our hearts and always will.”
The wedding was held that autumn, and over a year later, Christmas 2020 rolled in with yet another surprise for Becky.
She said: “I couldn’t believe it when I found out I had won first place in the raffle to support the ferry.
“I won a trip for 10 people, so this time Richie and I will be going aboard as a very happily married couple and taking our friends with us.”
Carmarthen Bay Ferries, which operates the ferry, hopes it can return to the water this year.
Reluctantly, last year the directors decided that the risks to the crew, passengers, boat and financial risks to the company were too great to justify operating for such a short time in a period of uncertainty around the virus.
Chairman of the Friends of Glansteffan Ferry Committee, Charles Etty-leal, said: “Hopefully the Glansteffan Ferry will be running again this year.
“The plan is to bring it back from Solva in Pembrokeshire, where it was stored last year, for launching in Ferryside from April onwards, Covid allowing of course.”
A MAN who went missing the same day as his partner tragically died has now been found dead himself, police have confirmed.
Jacqueline Reynolds, aged 51, of Llandysul in Ceredigion, died on December 5, 2020.
Police started an investigation into the “tragic death” and have since said it is not being treated as suspicious.
On the same day, Ms Reynolds’s partner David Phillips, also 51, was reported missing.
Following an extensive search, his body was discovered on Sunday in the Henllan area, some five miles west of Llandysul.
HM Coroner for Ceredigion has been notified of both deaths, neither of which are being treated as suspicious.
A spokeswoman for Dyfed-powys Police said: “We would like to thank the community of Llandysul for their help, patience and support with both the investigation and the search activities.”