Guard of honour

Guard of honour for the happy couple

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SURPRISED guests thought they had got marching orders when they arrived at a wedding at a Saddleworth church.

Because the road and hillside at the church entrance was thronged with World War Two military vehicles, uniformed personnel, a sentry box, a field hospital and other units under canvas.

And the nostalgic theme continued when the groom arrived in a 1943 jeep and his bride, accompanied by a siren-blaring escort, stepped from a gleaming 1936 RAF staff car.

Blonde-haired Sarah Doolan and Christopher Taylor’s wedding coincided with the launch of the first Pennine 1940’s Weekend linking St Chad’s Church, Uppermill, to the unique ‘living museum’ event.

And the caring organisers turned the day into a date to remember for the fun-loving couple — both aged 30.

They provided a full military guard of honour for the pair as they left the church to the sounds of ‘In the Mood’ playing softly through loudspeakers.

Said Sarah, mother of two: “I was mortified when I first learned there was a big military event on at the same time as our wedding.

“But the organisers could not have done more for us — I’m over the moon at the outcome.

“They even laid on marvellous military wedding cars. The guard of honour was a wonderful touch.”

Husband, Christopher, a teacher from Grasscroft, said: “When organisers explained what was happening we were delighted to be involved but we decided to keep the information to a very tight circle and it worked a treat.”

Meanwhile, the Pennine Wartime weekend was hailed a resounding success by organisers who have vowed to return to Saddleworth next year.

Members of distinguished Military Vehicle Trusts from across the North and Midlands showed off a variety of unique wartime and post-war vehicles and armaments to curious visitors.

And one of the enthusiastic Saddleworth event organisers said: “We’ve presented a factual, informative, fun and totally free show.

“We’ve gone back to basics — and the public have loved it.”

The sentimental music and nostalgia was mixed with a poignant remembrance of the fallen from Oldham and Saddleworth who died in two world wars.

Yesterday a crowd stood in respectful silence outside the church as David Ridding and Jimmy Patterson, both members of the Manchester Regiment’s Living History Association, read the of roll of honour to the dead from the wars.
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