Emmerdale wedding dress goes on display

The wedding dress worn by actress Patsy Kensit in Emmerdale is one of the prize exhibits in a unique exhibition of wedding dresses on display in the parish where her ill-fated wedding was filmed.   All Saints Church, Kirkby Overblow, near Harrogate, has mounted the Wedding Belles exhibition from Saturday July 5^th until Sunday July 13^th.   

Many other wedding dresses, old and new are on display together with flowers, hats and wedding memorabilia.  Each day there will be live music and refreshments, and all proceeds will go towards the church restoration fund which is aiming for a target of £120,000. 

On Sunday 6 July, at 3pm, couples are being invited to renew their  wedding vows at a special service at the church, when a toast to the happy couples will be raised, wedding bells will be rung and a photographer will be on hand to record the happy occasion.

Rector of Lower Wharfedale, the Revd Stuart Lewis, said that the exhibition marked a long tradition in the village. "As part of research behind the project we have discovered that the first recorded wedding in the village church was in 1647. On display will be a marriage book which has been compiled for the exhibition, recording all the weddings in the church since then. The service on Sunday recognises, celebrates and affirms  the long tradition of marriage in the church and here at Kirkby Overblow."