Love in Derbyshire

This post is a bit different from the others as it is going to be more personal, less informative, and not about any historic or touristy site.  It is about my relationship to my close friends and family in Derbyshire.

The first time I visited England back in 1979, my mother was visiting a friend in Derbyshire.  So, I took the train north to the part of the country - a very beautiful part by the way - to meet Mom's friend, Joyce, and her family.  While we weren't related, there was a connection.  Joyce's second husband's first wife was my mother's second cousin.  Got that?  Since then I have been to Chesterfield many, many times, sometimes it was with Mom and, at other times, on my own or with my sister or friends.  In 1986, I spent Christmas here with the Makin clan (Joyce's children's family name).  While I am not related, I feel very close to this family.  So, in the spring, when one of Joyce's granddaughters announced her engagement, I expressed interest and was invited to her wedding.  That is how and why I found myself in the part of "Jolly Old" for a few days late last week.

After dropping Mena and Trevor in Birmingham, I stayed there a couple of nights with Clair, one of Joyce's granddaughters, and her family (husband Gavin and daughters Harriet and Esme).  I've blogged about Gavin and Clair's brother, Darren, before because of the kidney transplant operation that saved Gavin's life.  Darren turned out to be a perfect match for his brother-in-law and donated a kidney to him.  Last week, Gavin competed for Great Britain in the World Transplant Games in Spain and came away with a silver medal in basketball.  Anyway, after a lovely couple of nights in Birmingham, I drove north about an hour to Derbyshire.  Most of Joyce's family lives in and around Chesterfield.

My visit there started with lunch with the actual real relative of mine who lives here and the man whose mother was the connection - Alan Cooke, my third cousin.  His dad married Joyce after his mother passed away.  Alan, his wife, Pamela, and I had a lovely lunch at The Greyhound pub on Thursday afternoon and we got caught up on all the family news and covered a wide ranging array of other topics as well.  It was great to see them again.  In addition, it is lovely to know I have legitimate roots in this part of the UK. 

Friday was Abi and Jordan's wedding and, much like the bride, it was unique, extraordinary and special.  Abi has always been very artistic (she designs and makes jewellery - check out Makin Jewellery on Facebook) so it was no surprise how creative and out-of-the-ordinary the wedding was.  It was held in South Wingfield Hall, a small venue not far from the ruins of Wingfield Manor.  The theme colour was hues of purple ranging from pale mauve to dark purple.  The bride arrived in a vintage VW van and the groomsmen wore "pedal pushers", bare feet in shoes, white shirts with braces hanging loose.  Someone, not me, remarked they looked like a group of hobbits or an Olly Murs' fan club! 

Jordan's daughters plus Harriet and Esme - the flower girls

Gavin with Esme

 

The ruins of Wingfield Manor

 

Jordan (on his mobile) and some of his groomsmen

 

Once the traditional vows were exchanged, everyone set off to the bride's home for the wedding reception.  The property is beautiful, located on a gentle slope of farmland overlooking the Derbyshire hills.  Thankfully, the weather cooperated and, given the forecast earlier in the week, I am sure everyone breathed a sigh of relief.  There were various tents set up included one huge teepee which held the approximately 100 wedding guests for the dinner and speeches.  They'd brought in a pizza van to make pizzas for the guests and there was also a great selection of salads.  Of course, given Pat's (the bride's mother) talent for making exceptional desserts, there was an amazing selection to choose from.  There was also a mushroom shaped wedding cake, in keeping with the fantasy theme. 

 

Great photo of the Giles family!

 

 

 

Later, there was a live band with dancing and, at times, Jordan and his mates also played.  Children scampered all around, many dressed in their super-hero outfits.  It was a totally relaxed and lovely afternoon and evening.  I am not sure what time the festivities ended.  I walked up the narrow lane to my B&B shortly after 11 pm.

 

The next morning I went back to help clean up - not that I actually did that much!  I enjoyed the jam session with the groom and his groomsmen, cheered on the removal of the pizza van contraption, and helped wrap slices of wedding cake.
     

Removal of the pizza van

Check out the very cool tree platform

Some of the guys jamming during the clean-up

Looking across at the beautiful Derbyshire hills

Saturday afternoon, after spending some time at Abi's aunt's and uncle's place, I started my journey south.  I stopped over for the night at my friends' (Neil and Ellie) in Great Missenden.  Sunday, I drove to Heathrow, (I will skip the part about having yet again another flat tire - what is it with British tyres and potholes!), returned the car and headed into London where I will spend my last few vacation days before I fly home Thursday. 

I am not sure I will have anything further to blog about this trip as I plan to take it easy over the next couple of days and do little while I am in London.  However, that might change!