Love and Marriage

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GALLERY

An appropriate choice of hymns for the occasion included 'Come on and Celebrate', 'Such Love,' and 'Lord of all Hopefulness' while readings from Genesis, Matthew and Ephesians were carefully selected and read out with feeling by three volunteers.
In a meaningful sermon Mr Dunstan paid tribute to the couples present at the thanksgiving service whose marriages have stood the test of time. "Their commitment, loyalty, love and friendship, is to be commended and they are great role models for those considering marriage in today's' modern world," he said.
The first marriage to take place at the Ilkeston church was conducted by the Rev Thomas McLaughlin on September 10th, 1960 and among those to have conducted wedding ceremonies since were the Revs. Brian Cooke, Brian Dance, Jack Charlton, Basil Siddons, Ron Leathwood, Roy Howard, Richard Hooton and Paul Dunstan.
John and Nina Blackwell, of St Andrew's Drive, Ilkeston, were the first couple to be joined in matrimony at the church and 41-years on they are still devoted to each other.
The last wedding ceremony took place in August last year when Tony and Bridget Trombetti, who live in Little Hallam Lane, Ilkeston, were joined together by Rev Dunstan.
Fittingly both the Blackwells and the Trombetti's were in attendance at the celebration of marriage thanksgiving service which was organised by Carol Ebbern and Margaret Slater, who were both married at the church, in collaboration with Mr Dunstan and others.

Carol, of Duke Street, Ilkeston, and Margaret, who lives in King George Avenue, Ilkeston, played their parts, turning detective in a bid to track down couples who tied the knot at Nottingham Road Methodist during the past 41-years.
The response to the many letters and telephone calls made by Carol and Margaret was heartwarming, more than 30 couples, of the 60 who made contact, turning up at the thanksgiving service.
Following the special service there was a reception held in the church hall at which two cakes were cut and shared amongst those present.
Appropriately, Mr and Mrs Blackwell were joined by Paul Dunstan for the cutting of one, while Mr and Mrs Trombetti in the company of Mr Dunstan, Mrs Ebbern and Mrs Slater, cut the other.
The happy occasion brought memories flooding back, and with the help of wedding albums, newspaper cuttings and old photographs, the couples were able ro reminisce about their big day.
"While obviously not all the marriages conducted at Nottingham Road since the church was first licensed to carry out ceremonies in 1960, have ended on a happy note, it is plain to see that many have been very successful," said Mr Dunstan.
"The church is about to undergo a major refurbishment and we felt it appropriate to have a celebration of marriage service before the work gets under way," he added.
Carol Ebbern and Margaret Slater were both delighted at the success of the venture.