Lenny and Valerie are first to tie the knot at new HQ

Lenny and Valerie are first to tie the knot at new HQ

10 October 2012 - by BY DAVID TELFORD

NEWCASTLE couple Valerie Gordon and Lenny Galloway were the first to be married in Down Council’s new £11m administrative base at the Downshire Civic Centre last Friday

Valerie and Lenny’s marriage was held in the new ceremony room at the Ardglass Road complex. The duo — who have both been married before — arrived together and on time for their big day, with beaming family and friends there to greet them.

And while couples usually have their photographs taken after the ceremony, Valerie and Lenny were more than happy to pose for photographs beforehand to celebrate the fact that they were making a little bit of history.

Valerie, who admitted she didn’t feel nervous but was looking forward to the ceremony, said being the first wedding at the new Downshire complex made the couple’s big day that little bit extra special.

“It was a real privilege for us to be married in the new Binnian suite. When we booked our wedding council staff were unsure of the exact date they would be moving to the Downshire,” she explained.

“But it’s great that we are the first couple to get married here; the building is really beautiful. We are really chuffed to be the first couple to marry here and create a little bit of history for ourselves and the council.”

Council registrar, Helen Matthews, who conducted the wedding ceremony, said she was delighted to be able to congratulate the first couple to be married in the new civic centre.

“The ceremony was a red letter day for Valerie and Lenny and another major milestone in our fantastic new council building,” she added.

Council director, Marie Ward, said the local authority has been passionate about every detail of its new ceremony room. She said the environment at the Binnian suite is designed to make couples feel special and relaxed.

She added: “We even encourage the wedding party to have a rehearsal beforehand to make sure they know where to stand, what order to come down the aisle and how fast to walk. We anticipate the ceremony room will become very popular.”