Surprise swept couple off feet (From Barry And District News)

Surprise swept couple off feet

A WELL-known Barry choreographer has tied the knot with her childhood sweetheart after more than 30 years apart.

Dance teacher and performer Pat Batho-Davies planned on an intimate ceremony at the Civic Offices on Saturday, April 10.

But when her friends and family heard about the impending nuptials, they all wanted to show their support to Pat and her architect fianc, and went along to pass on their best wishes.

Now Mrs Nigel Mills, Pat said: "I was overwhelmed by the number of people who came to witness our wedding.

"I was so sure that I would be able to keep my composure, but when I turned around and started to walk down the isle, I felt all the warmth from them and I broke down. And as we went outside, I had a huge surprise."

When the new bride and groom stepped out of the building, they were treated to an impromptu performance of Chim Chim Cheree from some of the children at Pat's Penarth drama school Upstagers, who had dressed as lucky sweeps.

Pat added: "Nigel and I were always together when we were teenagers. We used to meet at Joe's Caf on the Parade, which is now a restaurant. We have such fond memories of frothy coffees and Coca Colas drunk through straws we went there for our reception lunch.

"It was a marvellous day. Nigel was so supportive of me when my brother Peter, who was always close to Nigel, died four years ago, and our romance rekindled. It seems fitting that something so good has come out of the loss of my brother.

"We enjoyed a long weekend in Bath, and it was beautiful. Everyone who came to pass on their warm wishes at our ceremony, and the registrar Carol Frieze, made a wonderful day truly unforgettable."