To give Jeremy a good send off we organised a pub crawl around Hastings.

Dressed as Pirates we followed the Treasure Map and fought our way through the dangerous seas to find the golden treasure.

Pirate Gang of Hastings

Well no, we got drunk and merry, ate chips and generally had a good time.

It was sad to say Goodbye to Jeremy - but hopefully this isn’t the last we’ve seen of him!

Jeremy and Yulia enjoy chips outside the Anchor

Our friend Iain turned ** last week. Unfortunately Pete was obviously not meant to attend the party as his car broke down, the AA man took 3 hours to recover him and then the trains all had engineering works. After setting off from Hastings at 7am he only made it as far as north london by 5pm and gave it up as a bad job.

However I was in Wakefield already and managed to make it. After a few beers in the sun and a slap up curry we headed into Liverpool for cocktails, beer and a boogie.

We ended up at relax, a cheesy but fun 80’s nightclub where we dressed Iain up with a hen night devils tail and a ‘Relax’ sweatband - he looked scarily like Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid actor). What do you reckon?

My brother, Dan and his long-term girlfriend surprised us in August 2007 when they announced they were getting married in December.

Amazingly, they had kept it secret for 6 months, and organised everything themselves in that time.

19th December, the big day, came. It was cold but clear, dry and sunny. A perfect winters day.

The Clarke family had stayed at Dan and Jemma’s house whilst Jemma had stayed overnight at her parents along with her 2 bridesmaids.

The morning was a very relaxed affair and the clock dragged but by 12pm as we began to get ready, time began to fly.

Leaving the house, Me, Dan and Alfie

As we got dressed their wasn’t a dry eye in the house. I started to cry after seeing Dad and Alfie in their suits, and then Dan came out in his uniform and medals - he looked a perfect dashing gentleman - which set Mum and Dad off too!! Mum looked fantastic in her new dress, shawl and fascinator (no hat). We were actually pretty well colour co-ordinated!

3 generations

Anyway, taxis came, tears dried and off we all set to Nuneaton Registry Office. Jemma entered looking like Snow White in her white and red wedding dress and shawl - a beautiful bride. She walked down the aisle with her Dad to Lionel Richie’s ‘Stuck on You’. The service was very sweet and succinct followed more by tears, confetti and photos.

The happy couple

Afterwards we headed to the Axe and Compass for a sit down meal with the most delicious horseradish (but potent) sauce I have ever had. We all had a scratchcard, but Pete was the only one to win anything - a £1! - unfortunately on leaving I picked up the wrong one, so we lost it anyway.

The evening reception was at Weston Hall Hotel. A beautiful cake, chocolate fountains with marshmallows and strawberries. A delicious spread, DJ, guest books, disposable cameras and a first dance (Queen’s, ‘You’re My Best Friend’) completed Dan and Jemma’s Day.

Alfie had a great time and was very well behaved and enjoyed a boogie until 10pm. Nan wowed us all with her line dancing prowess, just 2 weeks after having a pacemaker fitted and Dad showed us up with some ‘dad dancing’.

The evening ended in the hotel residents bar, by a wooden fire sipping Baileys and Whiskey until the early wee hours.

What a cracking day! And welcome to the Clarke family Jemma.

Our friends Kieran and Emma got married in Essex this month. Emma was a beautiful blushing bride and she did well to brave the chilly weather during the photo shoot.

It was a fabulous day and everyone had a great time!

Emma and Kieran on their wedding day, Feb 2006.

Kieran and Emma leaving the church, Feb 2006.

Emma and Kieran dance and have a giggle together