Announcements

THE traditional sedate setting of a church did not appeal to Matfen country lovers Matthew Jeffrey and Michelle Barwick when they decided to get married.
Instead they chose the open moorland around Cow Green Reservoir in Upper Teesdale, where the bridegroom used to work as a gamekeeper, for the ceremony.
And instead of the classic wedding dress, the bride wore white jodhpurs and a mustard waistcoat to plight her troth.
Seating comprised bales of hay and Northumbrian piper David Bailey piped the bride into the ceremony.
The wedding cake, made by Kay Armstrong, had a hunting and shooting theme.
It will be February before they can get away on honeymoon, because the couple are too busy looking after pheasant chicks and will then be involved in shoots throughout the season.
The bridegroom is the son of Christopher and Janet Jeffrey, of Beadlam in North Yorkshire.
He attended Ryedale School and Askham Bryan College and enjoys all country sports and activities.
The bride is the daughter of Marlene Douglas, of Washington, and the late Eric Barwick.
She was educated at Heworth Grange and Gateshead College and works at TSG IT support services in Gosforth.
She too is a country lover, and owns a number of horses.
Her equestrian attire included a raw silk bespoke stock, made especially for the occasion, secured by a vintage pearl and silver stock pin.
The outfit was set off by black boots, complete with spurs, and a bouquet of ivory roses.
For the reception at the Langdon Beck Hotel in Forest-in-Teesdale though, she changed into an ivory knee-length dress with embroidery down one side, with raw silk shoes and an ivory pashmina.
The best man was Richard Dixie, of Garrigill, and also involved in the ceremony were the bride’s daughter Carly Palmer Foster, and the bride’s son Joseph Foster.
The outdoor service was conducted by registrar Janet Ridpath, following the formal marriage at Hexham Register Office.
Readings included The Passionate Shepherd to His Love, by Christopher Marlowe, read by the bride’s daughter Carly Palmer Foster, Blessing for a Marriage, by James Dillet Freeman, read by the bride’s mother and A Lovely Love Story, by Edward Monkton, read by the bridegroom’s sister Leona Way.