By Sarah Newstead

Last updated at 12:43, Monday, 22 December 2008

A Keswick church celebrated very special family connections at only its second wedding in 10 years.

James Webb and Naomi Breese

The nuptials on Saturday were particularly special for the Minister of the Lake Road Congregational Church, the Rev Eric Alldritt – not only were the couple members of the church, but the bride was his granddaughter.

The Rev Alldritt joined together local couple Naomi Breese and James Webb in front of 130 guests.

He said: “I always enter into the importance of any occasion I’m involved in, but of course being related means there’s double involvement.

“Naomi and James have known each other since they were children. It is a very emotional time.”

Bridegroom James, 23, a teacher at Stoneraise Primary School in Durdar, said: “It has been just wonderful today.

“We weren’t made more nervous because Naomi’s grandad was conducting the ceremony – the opposite I think.”

The couple told the News & Star they met as members of the same church in Birmingham 13 years ago before Naomi’s family moved north.

When James moved to Cumbria three years ago for a job, they became close.

But the family’s connections span over 50 years.

James added: “My great uncle would sing round the church organ with Naomi’s granddad who met his wife at my great uncle’s home.”

Seven bridesmaids followed nursery assistant Naomi, 20, down the isle carrying posies of mistletoe and white roses.

They were wearing dresses made by Rev Alldritt’s wife, Mair, who also made her granddaughter’s ivory embroidered jacket.

Bridesmaid Emily Breese, Naomi’s 18-year-old sister, said: “Naomi looked very beautiful and was very calm this morning.

“It’s been a lovely day.”

The last wedding ceremony at the church was five years ago. Two visitors from Scotland, who had attended services on their holidays, decided they wanted to get married in Keswick.

Rev Alldritt said: “We have quite an older congregation and this is the youngest couple attending the church.

“The last wedding was about five years ago.

“We welcome a lot of visitors to our church and it was a couple from Scotland who wanted to get married in Keswick.”

The Congregational Church has been in the town for more than 350 years and is Keswick’s oldest non-conformist church, being run autonomously with the local congregation making the decisions.

Mr Alldritt came to Keswick nine years ago at a time when the church was facing closure, but now it is a thriving part of the local community.

Following the wedding, the happy couple headed off to Derwentwater to have photographs taken, then on to the Castle Inn, Bassenthwaite, for the reception.

They will honeymoon in Scotland and be back home in Bothel in time for Christmas.

First published at 11:26, Monday, 22 December 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk