Couple become first to marry inside fire engine’s glass box

Norma the Leyland fire engine has welcomed the first couple to be officially married inside her great glass box.
Deborah and Nicola Hinds were the first couple to get married in front of the Leyland Motors fire engine outside the Best Western Hotel in LeylandDeborah and Nicola Hinds were the first couple to get married in front of the Leyland Motors fire engine outside the Best Western Hotel in Leyland
Deborah and Nicola Hinds were the first couple to get married in front of the Leyland Motors fire engine outside the Best Western Hotel in Leyland

While plenty of newlyweds have posed in front of the vintage vehicle following their ceremonies at the Best Western Leyland Hotel, none have actually said ‘I do’ inside the case, which itself is a registered wedding venue.

But it was the perfect setting for Deborah and Nicola Hinds, who tied the knot on Friday.

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The couple both have connections to Norma, and were delighted to be the first ones to say their vows in her
presence.

Deborah, who lives in Leyland, said: “I used to work at Leyland Trucks where the engine was built, and Nicola’s mum is called Norma.

“I also own a fire protection company in Leyland, so we felt very excited about our connections to the fire truck and were honoured to be the first to have our ceremony in it.”

She added: “We weren’t necessarily looking for something quirky, it just felt like it was meant to be.

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“It’s unique to us, and when we saw it, we just thought ‘this is absolutely where we need to get married’.

“It just all fit into place.”

The couple had a civil ceremony in 2008, but since new laws mean that same-sex couples can now legally wed, they decided they would do it all over again.

“It’s really important to us,” Deborah added.

“We now have the same legal rights as all other married couples, and it’s especially important for when you want to arrange to leave something for your partner, such as your retirement money.

“We wanted to be married properly, and not just have some title.”

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The wedding on Friday took place at the same time and date as their initial ceremony – 1pm on May 22.

“We went the whole nine yards last time,” Deborah said. “Nic wore a beautiful dress and I wore a suit.

“This time was much more relaxed, we just wore jeans and jackets, and it was much smaller and more intimate with very close family and friends.

“It was just as special though. How many people are lucky enough to marry the love of their life twice?”

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