Sarah married Si Bunting on July 29, 2011, at home on Fareham Common
Sarah’s Wedding 29th July 2011 - Father's Speech
Hello everyone. You know, the brain is a wonderful thing. It never stops functioning from before you’re even born right up to the moment you stand up to make a speech.
Thank you all for coming. Special thanks to those who have come a long way at short notice: that includes Sarah’s Aunt Annie from Norfolk, and an old friend Nicola, all the way from Italy. Thanks also to everyone who has helped prepare for today at such short notice, because you’ve done a great job.
Well, it’s unusual to have the ceremony so late in the afternoon. But then, if it doesn't work out, at least you haven't wasted the whole day.
A man needs a wife, and a woman needs a husband, for all sorts of reasons: love, support, companionship; and because when things go wrong, you can’t always blame the government.
I’ve looked up this day, the 29th July, in history and - absolutely nothing happened. I tell a lie. There was a minor royal wedding in 1981.
Jane and I have been blessed with two wonderful daughters. Ella has had a challenging time as a mother and is doing a brilliant job.
Sarah is looking stunning today, and that’s because she has always been imaginative and artistic. When we lived in a little council house in St Ann’s Crescent – we was poor - she did her own decorating. When she painted the wall, she didn’t just paint it, but did a fantastic mural with imagined colourful creatures, and we still have a photo of it on our wall. Since graduating from the London College of Fashion, she has turned to designing and making handbags, and I know some of you have been privileged to have been given one of them. She spent some time in China a couple of years ago, to learn more about design and manufacture. She’s also quite musical, and she sang for me a year or two ago at a charity gig.
Sarah has always been petite, but what she lacks in size she makes up for in character. I was a bit surprised when she started taking an interest in rugby. Even more so when she joined a team and started playing. Even against men. And she could bring her opponents down with a flying tackle, a useful talent, on or off the field. There was a time when a girl at school picked a fight with her and came off second best. They’re now firm friends.
Sarah’s new husband, Simon, came into our lives about four years ago. He was heavily into recycling and gardening, a sort of eco-bum, and sporting some very impressive dreadlocks. When he and Sarah went on holiday to Tunisia – shortly before the Arab Spring started happening, which I can assure you is pure coincidence – Simon was loudly hailed in every street as the White Bob Marley. By the way, the choice of Bob Marley as entrance music was pure coincidence as well.
Now Si has lost his dreadlocks and is about to embark on a career as an ambulance driver, perhaps to become a paramedic. A nurse up in Norfolk said to us that Si would be perfect for the job. A hasty judgement, but probably accurate. Si has shown an impressive commitment and love for Sarah, and I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome him and his huge family into our family.
Confucius he say, stand up, speak up, shut up. It’s time for me to shut up now, except for one last thing, which is to offer a toast to the bride and groom.
Hello everyone. You know, the brain is a wonderful thing. It never stops functioning from before you’re even born right up to the moment you stand up to make a speech.
Thank you all for coming. Special thanks to those who have come a long way at short notice: that includes Sarah’s Aunt Annie from Norfolk, and an old friend Nicola, all the way from Italy. Thanks also to everyone who has helped prepare for today at such short notice, because you’ve done a great job.
Well, it’s unusual to have the ceremony so late in the afternoon. But then, if it doesn't work out, at least you haven't wasted the whole day.
A man needs a wife, and a woman needs a husband, for all sorts of reasons: love, support, companionship; and because when things go wrong, you can’t always blame the government.
I’ve looked up this day, the 29th July, in history and - absolutely nothing happened. I tell a lie. There was a minor royal wedding in 1981.
Jane and I have been blessed with two wonderful daughters. Ella has had a challenging time as a mother and is doing a brilliant job.
Sarah is looking stunning today, and that’s because she has always been imaginative and artistic. When we lived in a little council house in St Ann’s Crescent – we was poor - she did her own decorating. When she painted the wall, she didn’t just paint it, but did a fantastic mural with imagined colourful creatures, and we still have a photo of it on our wall. Since graduating from the London College of Fashion, she has turned to designing and making handbags, and I know some of you have been privileged to have been given one of them. She spent some time in China a couple of years ago, to learn more about design and manufacture. She’s also quite musical, and she sang for me a year or two ago at a charity gig.
Sarah has always been petite, but what she lacks in size she makes up for in character. I was a bit surprised when she started taking an interest in rugby. Even more so when she joined a team and started playing. Even against men. And she could bring her opponents down with a flying tackle, a useful talent, on or off the field. There was a time when a girl at school picked a fight with her and came off second best. They’re now firm friends.
Sarah’s new husband, Simon, came into our lives about four years ago. He was heavily into recycling and gardening, a sort of eco-bum, and sporting some very impressive dreadlocks. When he and Sarah went on holiday to Tunisia – shortly before the Arab Spring started happening, which I can assure you is pure coincidence – Simon was loudly hailed in every street as the White Bob Marley. By the way, the choice of Bob Marley as entrance music was pure coincidence as well.
Now Si has lost his dreadlocks and is about to embark on a career as an ambulance driver, perhaps to become a paramedic. A nurse up in Norfolk said to us that Si would be perfect for the job. A hasty judgement, but probably accurate. Si has shown an impressive commitment and love for Sarah, and I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome him and his huge family into our family.
Confucius he say, stand up, speak up, shut up. It’s time for me to shut up now, except for one last thing, which is to offer a toast to the bride and groom.