 The Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Nick Geary, stepped in at the end of the first ever wedding performed at Christchurch’s Council Chamber to congratulate the couple. Claire Edmed and Steven Lee were presented with a certificate marking the historic occasion along with a bottle of champagne.The ceremony came about following approval by Christchurch Council for the Chamber to be used for civil ceremonies and Dorset Registration Service being granted a licence to use the venue by Dorset County Council. Although there are other venues licensed in Christchurch for civil ceremonies, including Highcliffe Castle and some hotels, this is the first Register Office Ceremony Room in the Borough. Steven Lee said: “It’s great that we were able to have the option of using the Council Chamber. It was all a bit of a rush as we’d originally planned to go abroad but then had to change our plans.” The Mayor added: “I’m really happy that our Council Chamber is now available for residents of Christchurch to hold their weddings here. Previously people would have had to travel outside the Borough to have a ceremony at a Register Office, now they can stay closer to home.”The Chamber will be available for ceremonies every other Saturday during the year. Photo shows the Mayor, Cllr Nick Geary with a bottle of champagne and certificate to be presented to the couple Steven Lee and Claire Edmed. |
