Crane Driver & SussexCarole - Wedding 8 April

Subject: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: Crane Driver
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 11:47 AM

Well, the time is drawing near – Andrew "Crane Driver" McKay and "Sussex"Carole Etherton are getting married on Saturday 8th April 2006 (a Week Before Easter – note gratuitous song-link allowing us to post above the line). The actual wedding will take place at Swansea Registry Office – attendance is limited and already full, but if anyone would like to be present in virtuo, there is a webcam which will broadcast the ceremony from 11:30am BST (GMT + 1).

The reception/ party (and this is where the story really starts) will take place in our home village of Llangennith on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, Britain's first officially-designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Any Mudcatters who would like to help us celebrate are welcome to attend, but if you hope to stay in the area please contact us first – we can hopefully point you to local accommodation, including the big campsite at Kennexstone, just a mile or so away. The celebrations will include jumping the broom, and will be basically much like a festival or mudgather – so dress accordingly. This is NOT a formal or conventional wedding reception! In fact, following Gower tradition, the celebrations will begin on the Friday night in the King's Head, Llangennith, continue at the Halfpenny Folk Club in Oldwalls Sunday night (about 4 miles away) and, if people can stay on, will continue during the week to segue/ stagger into the Miskin Folk Festival over the Easter weekend.

You can find a 360^o panoramic view of Llangennith village here. The applet requires Java software (and a lot of luck) to work. The yellow building is the King's Head pub, and the blue building opposite is the Parish Hall, where we will be eating, drinking, singing and dancing all afternoon and evening. You can also see PJ's Surf Shop and the local church. If you can get that one to work, you can also try this panorama of Llangennith beach. It's a great area for outdoors activities, so if you like hillwalking, bring your boots, and if you like surfing, bring your board.

(Gratuitous song link #2) – Llangennith was also the home of traditional singer Phil Tanner. The existing recordings of his songs have recently been released on CD by Vanguard Records. Phil was also the last of the Gower Wedding Bidders. The bidder (messenger) used to travel from door to door around Llangennith, on a white horse if one could be procured, carrying a staff bedecked with white ribbons and reciting his "bidding rhyme" at every house as an invitation to the wedding. Since we can't hope to get round everyone in our expanded village of Llanmudcat, even on a white horse, we are using this post to invite you all.

One last point – NO PRESENTS. We really don't need anything, as we've combined two households into one already and had to throw loads of things out. It's your presence we're hoping for, not presents!

Andrew & Carole

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: Dave Earl
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 12:19 PM

Wouldn't miss it for the world.

We'll be there. Make sure there is plenty of beer and food.

Dave and Elizabeth

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 12:30 PM

Looking forward to seeing two of the nicest Mudcatters splicing the knot.

Luv

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 12:40 PM

Micca and I will be there...wouldn't miss it for the world!

Love Khatt and Micca x

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: jacqui.c
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 05:42 PM

There is only one thing that will keep us away and that happens to be that Kendall has a gig with Utah Phillips in California on that day.

We will raise a glass to the pair of you for a long and happy union though.

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: Pauline L
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 06:23 PM

Congratulations! The wedding festivities sound like great fun. May your marriage be long and happy and full of musical and matrimonial harmony.

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: Blowzabella
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 08:25 PM

Sadly (well, not really) I've got a Mritime Festival to organise (yes!!!) which will prevent me from attending but good luck to all!

Blowz

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 07:20 AM

bit too far away for me to attend, so I'll just send my good wishes & congratulations.

I really must find the pics I took at Rhymin' Simon's place Boxing day 2004 & send them to you.

Found 'em, that's the advantage of filing photo albums on the floor! Expect a few emails sometime soon - that can be my present cos I won't be present.

sandra

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: BB
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 08:11 AM

Lots of luck and happiness, Andrew and Carole. You may remember we met at Whittlebury last year, and I really enjoyed your singing. Hope to see you there again this year.

We're otherwise engaged on the big day, I'm afraid, but we'll be thinking of you and raising a glass or two across the channel (Bristol, that is).

Barbara

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 08:46 AM

I wish, Carole. Be very happy together.
SINS

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 12:14 PM

Ducks will of course be there. And ducklings will be ready to get in your way!!!

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: Emma B
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 12:46 PM

First outing for the tent this year - Llangennith here we come!
Very best wishes for an unforgettable weekend and lifelong harmony

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: sian, west wales
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 12:53 PM

Frabjuous Day! But I may be in Amsterdam. I'll see what can be done ...

So ... are we going to have A Bidding?

siân

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 11:33 AM

~Refresh~

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: treaties1
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 10:14 AM

Oooh what a lot of blues clickies, I will be there in the flesh and hopefully good voice to wish for you all joy and happiness and harmony together. It's going to be a stupendiferous day to remember.
Lots of tlc from Theresa

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Crane Driver
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 09:01 AM

Just a slight amendment in case folk don't know what we're on about!!!

Andrew & Carole

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: Ferrara
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 11:56 AM

Carole and Andrew, what great news! And what a tempting invitation (sigh...). Bill and I will be there in spirit though. What a grand celebration you are planning.

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: breezy
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 06:25 PM

All of us in St Albans want to wish Andrew and Carole all the best for thier future happiness together.

Do have a great day

I remember both of mine

John

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day
From: JennyO
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 11:43 PM

Good grief, was it a year ago you were here in Oz? I haven't seen Rhymin' Simon for a while either - must do that soon.

It was lovely meeting you then, and at our BBQ. Like Sandra, it's unfortunately much too far away, but I'll be with you in spirit on your Big Day! Congratulations!

Jenny

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: My guru always said
Date: 10 Mar 06 - 04:16 PM

Not long now, getting excited!!!

Just got the caravan site booked & also found a site to put it from Sunday till Miskin to save dragging it back to Surrey, Hurrah!

With the amount of organisation you two have put into this I hope you've enough space left to enjoy your time before your Wedding Day, oh no, that's Wedding Weekend isn't it?

Sending hugs & positive thoughts,
Hil x

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 10 Mar 06 - 06:38 PM

Train tickets are booked, place to stay is sorted, got a possible outfit to wear....is there a dress code?!!.....

Looking forward to sharing your special weekend with you both!!

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Mar 06 - 09:09 PM

Andrew and Carole-

Best to you both!

You've certainly provided some scrumptious links to your part of Wales. We can't make it for April but sign us up for a visit in October. We suppose the festivities will still be going full blast...

Gee, you know, the coast looks something like our part of Maine. Are there lobsters as well?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble and JudyB

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 07:44 AM

As I understand it, Khatt we are required to be fully dressed but not all weekend!!

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 04:54 PM

Sure do wish it were driving distance -- we'd be there for sure.

Might be a bit soggy, though.

Sounds like quite a Mudcat party, though -- you'll just have to extend it until we can get over there!

Linn

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 05:04 PM

I'm glad you verified that for me Jane!!! *G*

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 05:09 PM

"we are required to be fully dressed but not all weekend"

Ah! Does that mean we are not having a session of naked Morris dancing, then?

Snigger

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 05:29 PM

I would do a naked morris dance if it weren't for my sore hips, honest!
Giok

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 06:04 PM

Pity, Giok, that would have been fun to watch.

I did attend a mad event held by GUEST: GUEST some years ago where they had naked Morris dancing (Any excuse for Guest). One male watcher was heard to say, on watching one of the larger female dancers: "I don't know what she's wearing but it should have been ironed".

Hmmm - enough said!

Rhiannon

(Names have been withheld to protect the innocent)

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Anne Lister
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 05:56 AM

Steve and I will be there, I hope, as it's not that long since our own nuptials.   But one small piece of information - according to the friend who knows most about Welsh traditions (she's part of a family that has retained all kinds of knowledge within the family, as opposed to reading about it or hearing about it from elsewhere)the seal on the wedding is to jump the bonfire, rather than the broom. Now it could be that that's more a North Welsh thing than a South Welsh thing, and it could also be that you don't have anywhere to make the bonfire, but I thought I'd let you know in case you can do something about it. After all, if you're going to get married you should do it properly, eh? *g*    We have photos of our bonfire leap - made it quite a small fire to avoid incinerating all our smart wedding togs.
But enjoy all the preparations as much as the wedding itself - we only regret we can't do ours all over again.

Anne (Lister)

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 10:00 AM

WOW - THAT could alter wedding night plans.

A grinning Rhiannon

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 10:14 AM

I think Crane Driver will have a few problems jumping over the fire!!!.
Scooby.

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 10:35 AM

Tabster:

Well, come a little baby lets jump the broomstick,
Come a let's tie the knot
Come a little baby lets jump the broomstick,
Come a let's tie the knot
My father don't like it, my brother don't like it,
My sister don't like it, my mother don't like it.
Come a little baby, let's jump the broomstick,
Come a let's tie the knot

From Brenda Lee Lyrics

Just helping keep this above the line

CHEERS

Nigel (hoping to meet up with the wedding party sometime during the week prior to Miskin)

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: SussexCarole
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 11:06 AM

Only 4 weeks to go now.   Thank you all for your good wishes and it's going to be great to see you all at our celebrations.    All plans ticking away really well - except for one added extra - I have broken a bone in my wrist & have my left arm in plaster (I await all the plastered jokes).

What to wear? whatever you are comfy in - there's absolutely no formal fuss.

Thanks for the info about the bonfire Ann - it's a great idea but unfortunately we don't have available space close to the Hall.

Nigel - we'll let you know the plans for the week before Miskin as soon as they are sorted. A beach bbq one afternoon/evening could be on the cards if the weather is good. Otherwise it's a pub sing/session on the Monday & Tuesday - Llantrissant on Wednesday & possibly Newport on Thursday (Mike Nicholson is the guest).

Giok - We have some wonderful medicine that stops hips aching......so back to your promise of that Morris dance......

Carole xx

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 11:56 AM

Oooohhh - this wedding keeps on getting better!!!

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 01:19 PM

More than your arm will have to be plastered if I'm to dance nekkid round Morris Minor or Senior.
Could it be a private naked dance round Alanis Morrisette?
giok

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Severn
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 01:59 PM

I can only afford one visit over there this year, but will try to watch the webcam, even if I have to miss work to do so (besides, it'll give me an advance look at some of the folks I might run into in May).

Wishing you all the best , in absentia, from Maryland!

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: open mike
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 02:37 PM

what a novel idea to have a web cam
is this a common occurance in the UK?

congrats and enjoy...
and don't get any splinters from the stick while jumping..
could put a damper on the honeymoon..

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 03:02 PM

For those of us unable to attend the actual wedding, there will be a wedding celebration of sorts at the Getaway. What to wear? What to bring? The gift has to be appropriate and tasteful (READ: Mary is going to get even for the ugly lamp!) yet small enough to accompany the happy couple home. HMMMMMM.
Champagne. of course subtly concealed in Pepsi cans and Giok doing naked Morris Dance with his newly rewired hips. Be still my beating heart!

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 03:20 PM

Then of course there's my arythmia problem too!
So when I say "Be still my beating heart" I really mean it!
Giok

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: SussexCarole
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 07:23 PM

Getaway 2006 - we'll be there and we'll bring a tier of wedding cake. Perhaps we will also bring some other wonderful UK purchases Mary!
I'll get even with you for that leotard!
Carole x

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 12:21 PM

I am SO tempted to post that the 'good' news is this will be a Leadfingers free event ! I have to work on the Saturday _If I'm NOT there neither will the Amplification , so the band wouldnt be too pleased ! You will all no doubt have a good time without me !!

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Crane Driver
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 10:59 AM

Sorry you can't make it, Terry - have a good 'un yourself! But raise a glass to us sometime during the evening, and we'll see you somewhere around.

Andrew & Carole

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: SussexCarole
Date: 23 Mar 06 - 03:12 PM

Splott - the Kennexstone site is the one most are using.

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 23 Mar 06 - 03:17 PM

very best wishes to you both.

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 23 Mar 06 - 03:32 PM

Eyelander and I plan to make an appearance some time during the weekend.

Subject: RE: CD & Carole - Big Song & Dance Day (Wedding)
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 Mar 06 - 04:04 PM

We sure wish that we could be there! What a joyful celebration that will be!

God Bless you both..

Jerry and Ruth

Subject: RE: Crane Driver & SussexCarole - Wedding 8 April
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Mar 06 - 04:05 PM

I finally found the perfect wedding gift. Now...do I mail it and risk the Post Office losing it or deliver it in person at the Getaway? Or have Jacqui deliver it when she visits? Decisions, decisions.

Subject: RE: Crane Driver & SussexCarole - Wedding 8 April
From: Crane Driver
Date: 24 Mar 06 - 04:08 PM

Well, I think we've filled every B&B for 20 miles, so if you are coming and haven't told us yet, get in touch and we'll see if we can point you to somewhere to stay that's at least in the same county. And if you can't be with us in person but would like to attend the ceremony in virtuo, remember that Swansea Registry office has a webcam, link in the first post to this thread, where you can watch it all happening before your very eyes from 11:30 BST (GMT + 1).

Thanks to all of you who have sent best wishes,

Andrew & Carole

Subject: RE: Crane Driver & SussexCarole - Wedding 8 April
From: SussexCarole
Date: 24 Mar 06 - 04:15 PM

Lobsters Sins???? Yum

Subject: RE: Crane Driver & SussexCarole - Wedding 8 April
From: Crane Driver
Date: 24 Mar 06 - 04:22 PM

Lobsters? Send 'em over - they'll go great with the Cockle & Leek pie . . .