Battling blizzard was s-now joke for bride

2:52pm Thursday 13th March 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

THE surprise 'April Fool' blizzard of 1966 certainly wasn't funny for one young East Lancashire couple, whose wedding day was ruined by the weather.

Our story last week of the sudden snows which struck on April 1, 42 years ago, prompted Bob Waters to tell the tale of woe surrounding his big day with Hilary Clarke.

For Hilary had to battle the drifts to get from her home in Whalley to Holy Trinity Church, Darwen, and the service, scheduled for 11am, finally took place three hours later!

It wasn't helped either when the taxi broke down en route, and her brother Roy, a groomsman, had to get under the bonnet in his wedding finery.

On top of that another wedding was scheduled for 1pm, so as Bob and his guests awaited Hilary's arrival, another bride and groom, Anne Ramsbottom and Ronald Goode, both of Darwen, and their wedding party packed into the church.

More than four hours after Bob had arrived at the church, the couple were married by the Rev Hugh Williams, who had been forced to walk from Hoddlesden for the ceremonies.

But, because the taxis were booked elsewhere, the couple left the church in an Austin A35 and their reception in Clitheroe, had to be cancelled!

But they made it to Southport for their honeymoon - Hilary wearing clothes loaned by her mother-in-law - and there was a surprise in store when they got back.

For, lured to Darwen Library lecture hall for a special meeting' of the St John Ambulance Brigade - the couple had met through the group - they were flabbergasted to find friends had organised a wedding reception, complete with cake, 10 days late.

As they discussed brigade business, they were unaware of the significance of the murmurs of conversation and the clunk of crockery in an adjoining room.

And gathered there were 50 well-wishers, including their parents, best man Norman Yates and bridesmaids Sylvia Walsh and Margaret Leach.

The event was organised by five friends and brigade colleagues, who felt the young couple had had a raw deal and decided to band together and make some new arrangements.

They were superintendents Mary Meggitt, Mary Birch and Winifred Dunbar, with divisional officer Ellen Kay and nursing member Lilian Walsh.

Afterwards Hilary said: "They have done us proud, we feel now we've had a proper reception."