Race against time for Garstang couple's wedding as new Covid restrictions loomed

There aren’t many brides who had less than a couple of hours’ notice before tying the knot.
Jamie Bardot and Harriet Bertenshaw married at All Saints Church, BarnacreJamie Bardot and Harriet Bertenshaw married at All Saints Church, Barnacre
Jamie Bardot and Harriet Bertenshaw married at All Saints Church, Barnacre

But it was make or break for Harriet Bertenshaw and her fiancé Jamie Bardot, when the announcement of tier four restrictions put an end to their New Year’s Eve wedding.

They had already swapped, changed and altered plans as Covid began to slice away their wedding dreams.

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So when Jamie heard on December 30 that they wouldn’t be able to get married the next day, there was only one thing for it.

Jamie Bardot and Harriet Bertenshaw exchange vows at the service conducted by Rev Anton MullerJamie Bardot and Harriet Bertenshaw exchange vows at the service conducted by Rev Anton Muller
Jamie Bardot and Harriet Bertenshaw exchange vows at the service conducted by Rev Anton Muller

Harriet, who is a vet at Beacon Veterinary Centre in Garstang, was at work when Boris Johnson announced the new restrictions at 3.30pm that afternoon.

She said: “Jamie had to interrupt me at work, while I was consulting in the car park.

“He came to tell me that the wedding couldn’t happen the next day and did I want to get married that night?

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“I just said, ‘yes, why not!’ We thrive on chaos and always manage as a team.”

The children welcome the newlyweds as they leave churchThe children welcome the newlyweds as they leave church
The children welcome the newlyweds as they leave church

Harriet arrived home to find Jamie, who’s 39 and an environment manager, on the phone to Rev Anton Muller, at the rural All Saints Church, in Barnacre, trying to work out if it was viable.

And, as if a global pandemic wasn’t enough of a stumbling block, they also had another hurdle to overcome – the ancient law in England which states that marriage cannot happen in the hours of darkness.

After much consultation with the Church of England trying to iron out the legalities, it was agreed that they were exceptional circumstances and could go ahead with an evening service.

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Harriet, who is 41, said: “By this time it was gone 5pm and luckily we can all scrub up well... and quickly. We even managed some tea!

Harriet and daughter Beatrix travelled to the ceremony under the blues and twos of the Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Land RoverHarriet and daughter Beatrix travelled to the ceremony under the blues and twos of the Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Land Rover
Harriet and daughter Beatrix travelled to the ceremony under the blues and twos of the Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Land Rover

“Rev Anton Muller and the team managed to make the church look magical and bring the whole ceremony forward with less than two hours’ notice.”

Harriet, who met Jamie through mutual friends but had also met him once before, when they attended training sessions with their dogs, borrowed her sister’s wedding dress for her own big occasion.

Her mum, Elisabeth Bertenshaw, had grown 200 daffodils in her kitchen as wedding flowers.

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“Daffodils are my favourite flower,” said Harriet, “we managed to snip a few for button holes and we made a bouquet, it was perfect.”

Both Jamie and Rev Muller are proud owners of vintage Land Rover Defenders.

Jamie, his best man, nephew Bertie Douglas, and their dog ‘Monkey’ arrived at church in the family vehicle. Jamie’s best friend Matthew Smith also took a best man role.

Harriet, who is a member of the Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team and her bridesmaids, daughter Beatrix and niece Flora, arrived in style under the blues and twos of the rescue service Land Rover. They were accompanied by her mum who gave her away.

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Unfortunately her dad, Michael Bertenshaw, was unable to attend the wedding because of lockdown restrictions in London.

But he writes little ditties and pre-recorded one especially for the wedding, which was broadcast during the service.

It was also an extra special occasion because the happy couple combined their nuptials with the christening of their two-year-old daughter Beatrix.

The toddler was a bit bemused by all the celebrations.

“At one part of the ceremony she took Baby Jesus from the crib in the church Nativity, and she loved using my dress as a Wendy House while we exchanged vows!”

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There were a few guests who couldn’t make the new, quickly arranged time, so Harriet picked up her Godchildren, Tom, Meg and Lucy so they could enjoy the celebrations. It certainly stirred the emotions.

“It was all in the right order, for us,” said Harriet, “and was a good fun celebration with all our friends and family, it was perfect.

“We had a glass of champagne and bag of Twiglets, which are my favourites, on leaving the church. It must be the cheapest but most apt wedding breakfast in history.”

To top it all, on their way home, wrapped up in winter coats, Long Johns and wellies, they trampled across glistening frosty fields under the light of a perfect full moon, to their home in Garstang.

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Their neighbours greeted them with a toast from their doorsteps with glasses of Prosecco.

Hopefully, when life returns to normal, they will be able to arrange a second blessing and a proper reception with all their family and friends.

They also plan a trip to the Alps when they can.

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