Teaching youngsters to use ropes led to scouting pair tying the knot

Robert Millington, assistant county commissioner for the West Lancashire Scout Section, took Joanne Mee, cub leader at Croston St Michael’s, on an outdoorsy date to Ingleton Waterfalls, where the terrible weather meant they hardly saw anyone else all day.

They originally met during a scout camping trip in the Lake District when Robert, who at the time was with Euxton Methodist Scout Group, helped Joanne teach her cubs map reading and how to tie knots - and both would make an appearance on their wedding day years later.

“Joanne bought me cufflinks featuring maps of the place we met and got engaged,” Robert says. “I had proposed during the Gilwell Reunion for Scout Leaders camp trip in September 2013.

“Gilwell Reunion is special to us as we have been for the last four years together and enjoyed every single weekend.

“We drove for five hours and along the way I had gone through a range of emotions from certainty that she would say ‘yes’ from Euxton to Manchester, certainty she would say ‘no’ (and all the ways that could play out including her laughing at me) from Manchester to Birmingham, back to certainty of a ‘yes’ from Birmingham to Chingford.

“As we got out of the car though, I switched back to the certainty she would say ‘no’.

“It was certainly the most terrified I had been in my life; hanging from cliff faces and sleeping on mountains hold nothing compared to the fear in that moment!”

Thankfully Joanne, a nurse, said ‘yes’, and the Euxton couple were married on March 21 at St Michael and All Angel’s Church in Croston, before a reception at Charnock Farm in Leyland.

“Our first dance was a surprise to everyone, even Jo,” Robert adds. “She had asked me to choose it and only I and the DJ knew what it was.

“I had chosen Air Supply’s ‘Every Woman in the World’.”

A table of photos showing their grandparents and parents on their wedding days made the occasion all the more special.

Those who made the day special

Groom’s parents

David and Rosalind

Millington

Bride’s parents

Alan and Kathleen Mee

Best Men

Andrew Bannister and Martin Johnson

Bridesmaids

Laura Johnson, Caroline Smith, Sarah Bramwell

Usher

Martin Mee

Bride’s dress

Susan Craig Bridal,

Chorley

Others

Gilded Lily, Chorley

Memorable Wedding Car, Chorley