A steamy start!
Posted by Chris Graham on 28th October 2020
Here’s how newly-weds Mary Dougherty and George Nunn enjoyed a steamy start to married life on their recent wedding day in Norfolk
A steamy start!: Newly-weds, George and Mary, take a look at their steed before leaving to being their married life together.
Twenty-nine-year-old Mary Dougherty, from Glasgow, and George Nunn (26) of South Lopham, left their reception at the Fox Inn, Garboldisham, behind a fabulous traction engine, ensuring a steamy start to married life. It was all thanks to Sam Wheeler and Adam Gerald of Bressingham, who brought along their Ruston steam traction engine to transport the newly-weds in steamy style.
Centenarian traction engine Oliver pulled a vintage trailer and, with the happy couple on the front seat, accompanied by best man, George Reader, and bridesmaid, Lilly Nunn, together with some 20 guests on board, the cavalcade left to cheers from revellers outside the community pub, for George’s parents’ house at Fysons Farm, North Lopham.
Steady now! The bride climbs aboard the trailer, being careful not to get her wedding dress sooty.
Bridegroom George said: “Mary and I were thrilled and delighted to travel by steam power at the end of our wedding day, and we’d like to thank Adam and Sam sincerely for bringing Oliver along.”
Sam Wheeler, whose family has owned the engine since 1978, said: “We were approached by George’s father, Will Nunn, an enthusiastic, local steam supporter, to see if we’d come along to make Mary and George’s day special, and we were delighted to oblige.”
Ready for the off! Enginemen Adam Gerald (right) and Sam Wheeler toast bride Mary, groom George, best man George Reader and bridesmaid Lilly Nunn, before setting off.
Earlier on their wedding day, after being married by Father Stephen Blair, the happy couple left the church for the Fox Inn in sporty fashion in Will Nunn’s low-slung Caterham car, to the delight of guests at the chapel.
“I suppose you could say we’ve begun our journey through married life quickly in the Caterham, and more sedately behind the steam engine!” smiled bride Mary. “It’s a great start on the road of married life. We’ll never forget our wedding day.”
Getting into its stride, the nuptial cavalcade takes to the open road.
The Wheeler family is well-known in Norfolk for taking its steam engines and other vintage vehicles to rallies and events in the county, and further afield. Every year at Christmas and New Year, Sam steams round the local pubs, stopping at each one to join revellers in festive cheer.
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