A fantastic day despite illness

A chance meeting at the Black Bull in February 2011 was a twist of fate for the couple.

Roy had been speaking to someone and when he turned round, his friends he was with had gone into Preston.

“He asked me where they had gone and that was it,” said Dawn, 57, and an executive PA.

“I got his life story and I thought he would be nice for my friend as I wasn’t interested in meeting anyone!

“I had organised monthly walks with work so invited him along and that was it.”

“Roy bought me a beautiful diamond ring in May 2014 but that was more of a commitment than engagement but he proposed properly in Spain.”

Two weeks before the wedding, Dawn was ill with bronchitis, bed ridden and taking antibiotics.

She was still ill the night before the big day.

With her friend Donna, who had travelled from Ireland for the wedding, Dawn stayed in a beautiful junior suite at Farington Lodge the night before.

“I couldn’t eat or drink though,” said Dawn.

“Alison from Farington Lodge gave me a large teapot filled with hot water and lemons and a big jar of honey and made sure I drank that and Donna and I ended up having just two hours’ sleep as I couldn’t stop coughing.

“However, I got up and I don’t know what happened but I managed to get through the ceremony without coughing.

“It was a wonderful day. Everything went well which was all down to the fabulous staff at Farington Lodge who really looked after me.

“I also managed to get a photograph with by black labrador Finney. He absolutely adored Roy from the day he met him – dogs are a good judge of character!”

Roy, 54, who is a steel fabricator, said: “It was so special as I have married my soul mate.”