Barry gay couple are first to tie the knot (From Barry And District News)

Barry gay couple are first to tie the knot

A GAY Barry couple are showing their commitment to each other by tying the knot at the first ever Vale of Glamorgan ceremony for same sex couples.

Kevin Marks and Jeff Clarke, who run Kajos Hair Studio at Broad Street, will get married on Saturday April 7 at 4.30pm at Barry's Civic Offices.

The couple, who have been together for 14 years, have wanted to show their commitment to each other for a long time but were unable to by law.

Now they can make their vows to each other in a formal ceremony that is the forerunner of the proposed Civil Partnership ceremonies that start next year.

Thirty-one-year old Kevin said: "We have wanted to do this for a long time now. It is for security as well as love.

"By next year the vows we sign will mean that if something happens to one of us the other will be legally better off.

"We have also each written a poem but we don't know what each other's is yet until the day.

"I have written about my feelings in general."

The duo met 14 years ago when Jeff, 40, was a residential social worker and Kevin a relief worker. They then set up home in Oldmill Street, Cadoxton, and a couple of years ago opened Kajo.

They are now looking forward to the ceremony on Saturday.

On the day the couple will play the song Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden, and will read the lines "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. May it remind us of the commitment I have made to you."

Kevin explained: "We have written our own vows which are similar to the ones in a traditional wedding."

This is the first opportunity they have had to commit to each other in a formal ceremony. It is the forerunner of the proposed Civil Partnership ceremonies and these will start next year.