The Church Wedding

The church wedding was held at Ffrwd Primitive Methodist Chapel, Windy Hill, Wrexham.  Built in 1827, and the family chapel of the Thomas family, Ffrwd is a tiny chapel and hamlet, in a once rich coal mining area.  In olden days, if you didn't go to chapel, you didn't get a job in the local pit or mines.

The chapel was decorated with flowers by Jackie's Mum and Aunty Willow, taken from their own gardens, and this particular display was, after the service taken by Jackie and Joe to the hospital bedside of her Uncle Doug, who WAS to have given her away.  Uncle Doug sadly died a few days later - he has all of our love and will be missed by many.  RIP.

Quite where the church wedding was, no one seemed to know. Several cars did a scenic tour of South Wales, as the lead driver thought that it was somewhere where it wasn't. However, eventually Vicar, bride, groom and guests all gathered together in a Primitive Methodist Chapel, where Jackie had been Christened. The church was neatly kept, very plain, with some very nice oak pews, altar and altar rails - just the sort of wood that could be used to line out and furnish a narrow boat ...

The organist played some slowish, inspiring music, though one got the impression that he was always on the verge of breaking into 'Basin Street Blues' or 'Jailhouse Rock'. It was no surprise therefore when the bride approached the altar rail to the strains of 'The Happy Wanderer'!

The bride's side of the church were all dressed in their finery. In particular, the bride's mum looked a knockout in various vibrant hues of blue. She was one of those mums who set out to have a jolly good day, and succeeded.

The groom's side, on the other hand, looked ... well ... boaty!!! They also looked pretty stunned when the Vicar intoned the line 'Do you, Roger Tudor Jones ...'. Eh? Who's getting married? We thought it was Joe? Is it his brother? Truth dawned. Joe has merely been masquerading under the name of Joe for all these years. Truth will out!!!

Joe and Jackie with Jackie's Mum Joan, Allison, Mike and bridesmaids Eilaine and daughter Samantha (Sami)

Cutting the cake with Jackie's daughter Sami and baby Lucy (the youngest person to attend the wedding)

Carl, Joe and Mike, who as Uncle Doug's son gave Jackie away, plus Jackie and Allison  (chief bridesmaid).

Jackie (prize to guess what she is saying to the photographer!)

Joe and Jackie - says it all...