VILLAGE CLUB PROVIDES 'ONE-STOP' WEDDING SHOP FOR THE HAPPY COUPLE

BADDESLEY SOCIAL ENSURES BIG DAY NOT SPOILT THROUGH 'BANS OF MARRIAGE' IMPOSED BY VIRUS RESTRICTIONS AS PAIR PLAN ANOTHER DO NEXT YEAR

THE BANNS of marriage have been part of the wedding ritual for centuries with the prior announcement of intent giving opportunity for anyone to proclaim a reason why the ceremony should not go ahead.

Fast forward to today and bride-to-be Leanne Tolley had to accept confronting what amounted to the "bans of marriage" – with the Covid pandemic ensuring nothing is quite straight-forward anymore.

That certainly has been the case for the expectant mum's wedding plans which were thrown into turmoil by the imposition of lockdown in March.

The 31-year-old and long-term partner Dave Tolley, 51, had originally booked Baddesley Ensor Social Club for a May 8 reception for 150 people.

That naturally had to be cancelled but when restrictions were eased – allowing 30 people to attend a streamlined event that excludes live music and involves guests seated at socially-distanced tables – the New Street club stepped in with the offer of free room hire to sprinkle a bit of enterprising magic to help lift the disappointment of not being able to invite all their family and friends to the special day.

The club proved something of a 'one-stop shop' for the Dordon couple's celebration – as well as the venue, bar manager Julia Gilbert prepared and decorated the room and provided the wedding dress from her Eternally Yours boutique which is housed upstairs on the second floor of the building.

Meanwhile, she invited Atherstone Nub News along to capture the club's first wedding event since lockdown and provide a photographic memento for the couple's wedding album.

Leanne and Dave, who have been together 13 years and both work at the Asda Integrated Distribution Centre in Lutterworth, had planned to exchange vows at Tamworth Register Office but that has been closed since Covid – and civil ceremonies switched to Lichfield.

Once the nuptials were over there, the couple headed back to the Baddesley club where they were greeted by their nearest and dearest including their bridesmaid daughter Rosie, aged two.

The pair were able to invite their mums Linda and Thelma; Leanne's grandad Malcolm and brother Aaron; Dave's children Josh, 19, and Daisy, 17; and his sisters Lynn and Marg to the wedding buffet supplied by Sue Chetwynd.

Administrator Leanne told Nub News: "It was not quite as we had intended.

"But Baddesley Club really did us proud.

"We have had a great day."

The guests enjoyed their wedding buffet, the couple cut the cake and then headed off for a few days away in Portmadog.

On their return, Leanne will be putting her feet up as at 34 weeks she awaits the birth of her second child at the end of next month – a baby brother for Rosie.

Coronavirus may have forced the postponement of their original reception and curtailed this celebration but it hasn't put them off planning another wedding 'do' next June with a blessing at St Nicholas Church in Baddesley Ensor followed a "really big knees up" for the the full 150 intended guests at the social club.

Mrs Gilbert explained that anyone wanting free hire of the venue for a wedding reception has to provide a £50 refundable deposit. She can be contacted on 07920 281813.

Baddesley Ensor Social Club's Facebook page can be found here; the website is here and phone number is 01827 337598.