Couple show medieval devotion

9:44am Sunday 18th May 2008

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A COUPLE have kicked off their wedding proposals in a way which is a little out of the ordinary.

David Haywood and his partner Judy Sheppard decided to show their devotion to one another by having a hand fasting ceremony, followed by a medieval banquet.

The couple did not want to simply become engaged, so they decided to have the ceremony, which dates back centuries, before getting married at Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, in a year-and-a-days time.

The hand fasting service, which sees the couple's hands tied together with ribbon, took place at the Vedanta Centre, in Blind Lane, Bourne End, yesterday.

Family and friends then went to the pair's home in Philip Drive, Flackwell Heath, for the special meal.

Gruel and berries with honey, were just two of the medieval dishes on the menu, with mead to help wash it down.

And when the guests were not eating, they were maypoling or jousting.

Mrs Shepherd, who is a drama teacher, was wearing a medieval-style dress and Mr Haywood, a defence consultant, was fitted-out with chain mail.

The couple, who have been together for three years, both have two daughters from previous relationships.

Mrs Shepherd said: "It is a bit different. I do reflexology and Thai Chi and it is all about going back to basics really.

"We wanted to do something out of the ordinary. It is nice to do something different.

"People do not understand about hand-fasting and it is good for people to know about different alternatives to traditional weddings."

The couple have already found the tree where they want to marry.

Mr Haywood said: "It started when we decided to have a service at Sherwood Forest, because I literally grew up there, and it was after that when we did research about the other plans that we discovered hand-fasting.

"It just fitted in naturally with what we wanted and my life at Sherwood Forest.

"We are both very spiritual but not very religious so we wanted to go down this route.

"It was also a nice excuse to get the kids and the other guests to dress up."