A STRATFORD couple who won their wedding day in a radio competition, finally got to walk down the aisle at the weekend – three years on.
Laura Murphy and Adam Cherrington were over the moon when, in summer 2019, they were chosen in a public vote as the most worthy recipients of the prize package – only to have to then cancel their nuptials twice due to the pandemic.
The special day was also to mark new beginnings for the couple who have overcome personal heartache in the past including the loss of Laura’s late partner – and daughter’s dad – to a fatal road accident on Warwick Road in Stratford 10 years ago.
But it’s been a particularly long time coming after being forced to postpone the date twice during lockdowns.
The 42-year-old mum-of-two said: “The winner was being announced live on local radio in October and we were told the presenter would turn up at the winner’s house just after 8am.
“It got to about 8.40am and we hadn’t heard anything so we thought, it wasn’t us. As Adam stood up to leave to go to work he saw them outside.
“We were listening to the radio which was on a slight delay so we didn’t expect anyone to be outside but there they were! We were completely overwhelmed to have won.”
Laura and Adam’s bumper prize consisted of a honeymoon from Winchcombe Farm Holidays in Upper Tysoe as well as a reception for up to 40 guests at The Crown Plaza in Stratford; a wedding dress from Boho Bride in Stratford; wedding rings from Cotswold Jewellers in Shipston, a cake from Caking and Baking in Leamington and suits from Albie and Lonnie’s in Rugby.
It’s also a huge relief for Adam who, during the pandemic, had to take time away from the professional kitchens he loved, to work in care homes.
The 37-year-old said: “The delays to the wedding were incredibly frustrating but we knew the day was going to come eventually and the fact that people were losing loved ones to Covid put it into perspective.
“While it would have been lovely to get married in 2020, at least the time has come for us. It’s been a long time coming but looking on the positive side, we have had more time to deliberate over it and decide what we actually want on the day.”
The newlyweds have just returned from their mini moon courtesy of Winchcombe Farm, where they started married life together in what’s been dubbed one of the most romantic retreats in Warwickshire – Will’s Treehouse.
Co-owner of Winchcombe Farm, Jo Carroll, said: “We are delighted to have finally been able to welcome Laura and Adam to Winchcombe for their honeymoon, after so many postponements due to the pandemic.
“Will’s Tree House is a firm favourite for honeymooners and we have had so many couples who, like them, have had to reschedule their special stays over the past couple of years.
“We are delighted they finally got to start their married life in the tree tops. We wish them both every happiness.”
