Couple to wed inside 'castle' bonfire

dave.tanner@archant.co.uk
28 July 2010

Del and Emma in front of the Torrington Commons castle.

WHEN Torrington fire fighter Del Anderson told his bride-to-be Emma Sutton that he wanted her to be his "princess in a castle" he meant just that.

The couple are to be married on August 21 inside the replica medieval castle that has been built on the town's Commons by the Torrington Cavaliers charity group.

The 100-ft long structure is the latest in 40 years of charity bonfires built by the Cavaliers and the following Saturday after the wedding it will be razed to the ground in a spectacular display watched by thousands.

Del, 44, a local printer and part-time DJ, and Emma, 34, a full-time mum, have been together for the past two years. When planning their wedding they decided the castle was the venue for them.

"We wanted to show support to the Cavaliers, who do a fantastic job for charity and thought this might help to raise awareness," said Del.

Emma's daughter Maria will be a bridesmaid and her son Josh an usher. Del's daughter Dione will also be a bridesmaid. They will have some 60 guests at the ceremony on the Commons.

It will be a full wedding service, conducted by Methodist Minister the Rev Graham Slingo, although the legal side will have been carried out in the local Register Office a week in advance.

"Initially, I thought they wanted a blessing. But they want the full wedding experience," said Mr Slingo. "It will be the full religious ceremony with the exchange of rings and formal promises in the structure on the Commons."

Emma will wear a traditional bridal gown, but Del is keeping his outfit secret until the big day. Mr Slingo will be contributing the fee for the service to the Cavaliers' bonfire charity fund, which is raising money for the Children's Hospice South West and the North Devon Cancer Care Centre Trust.

The wedding will take place at 11am, after which the guests will go to a reception at The Torrington Arms.

That afternoon the Commons will become the venue for the Cavaliers' pre-bonfire fun day, their way of saying thank-you to the community and oth-ers who have supported their efforts.

Open to all, the free afternoon will include a range of activities and entertainments with family fun in mind, followed by an evening of live music.