Wedding is a ‘dream come true’ for East Preston couple

Joann Howells, 46, who is receiving cancer treatment, revealed to a nurse how disappointed she was to have to cancel her wedding planned for the end of the week, after having to be kept in hospital.

Her partner Neil Ward, 45, admitted they were on the cusp of cancelling it when assistant chaplain the Rev Linda Rowlinson paid them a visit.

“She just bent over backwards and never stopped running around to make it happen,” said Neil.

“It was so special,” agreed Joann, “just overwhelming, with everybody helping to make our day come together.”

After an emergency licence had been granted, Joann and Neil were married in the hospital chapel – the first time it had hosted such a ceremony.

Surrounded by friends and family, they then enjoyed a reception in the day room off Brooklands Ward.

Both venues had been especially decorated for the occasion by materials donated by the business community after Sister Samantha Jackson and ward manager Caroline Taylor made an appeal on Splash FM.

Numerous businesses answered the call, and using the flowers, decorations, food and drink that came pouring in, nurses working through their lunch breaks and the hospital’s Facilities and Estates team transformed each location.

For the full story, see this week’s Gazette (Thursday, June 26).