Couple question 'wisdom' of Cockington wedding extra fee
A COUPLE getting married at Cockington Court in September while Oldway Mansion is out of action have complained that the charges have been set too high.
Robert Somerville and Sandra McWatt missed out on their dream of getting married at Oldway Mansion before work started on its regeneration because Robert fell ill.
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COST COMPLAINT: Robert Somerville and Sandra McWatt Andy Styles TQAS20120621G-002_C
He was bitten by a tick and has become disabled with Lyme disease, caused by a parasite carried by the tick.
Robert, who lives in Lower Erith Road, Torquay, said: "It has taken me four years to recover, supported by my partner who is a doctor.
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"At the time we made our initial plans to get married, the cost of doing so at Oldway Mansion was moderate. Because of my illness, however, we had to cancel the wedding.
"It is only now, having finally recovered for the best part, that we have made plans to wed in September.
"I understand Oldway Mansion was left as a bequest by the Singer family for the enjoyment of people in Paignton. The council decided, however, to sell it.
"This means that wedding ceremonies are being provided by the registry service at Cockington Craft Centre. So they have transferred weddings to Cockington Court.
"The council, not the staff, having created this problem has in its wisdom decided to charge couples £276 to send a registrar over.
"For people with limited income the amount charged will be an added burden on the marriage cost."
A Torbay Council spokesman said: "Planning permission was recently given for the redevelopment of Oldway Mansion as a hotel and spa.
"Bookings for weddings and civil ceremonies at Oldway can still be taken up to the end of July.
"The council's registration service, which is currently based in Oldway, will then move to Cockington Court while the redevelopment work is carried out.
"The facilities at Cockington are limited. They will only be able to cater for couples with up to six guests, and we appreciate this will not be suitable for everyone.
"However, there are many superb licensed venues for ceremonies across Torbay at which our registrars can officiate.
"Oldway will once again be made available as a wedding venue, both within the hotel and in the council's register office when it returns there when the redevelopment has been completed."
The fee of £276 is for two registrars to officiate at Cockington, and it also includes a run-through if the couple wish prior to the ceremony.
£44 is the national rate for a basic register office ceremony with up to six guests, and this forms part of the £276 fee.
Comments
by gefthechef
Friday, June 29 2012, 10:26PM
“The Singer family did not give the oldway mansion to the people of torbay or to anyone else,they sold it to torbay council for £49k orthere abouts.thereby giving the council the right to sell it to whome they choose,,”
by themightyflea
Friday, June 29 2012, 9:42PM
“Do we assume no thought has been given that moving the local Registrar's office to a location unreachable by public transport is just a tad inconvenient for the public, especially the elderly or infirm, needing to register Births, Deaths etc?”
by Vonduch
Friday, June 29 2012, 8:36PM
“Breaking News: Couple go to the local rag to complain to try to get some money...yawn.”
by Joannemar
Friday, June 29 2012, 7:36PM
“Congratulations to you both on your forthcoming marriage.
I am so sorry to hear of your illness, I was also bitten by ticks here in Surrey and it took 4 years to be diagnosed with Lyme Disease and another 4 years of antibiotics to make a good recovery. No doubt the delay in diagnosis plus 20 months of steroids given for misdiagnosis of Polymylgia Rheumatica would have compromised my recovery.
Sadly the public in general are unaware of tick-borne illnesses. In fact many doctors are unaware that Lyme Disease can even be caught here in the UK. There seems to be a growing number of ticks but still very little awareness.
The first tick I found was in the 70's at my then home in Plainmoor, Torquay. Although I knew a little about Lyme Disease I thought it was unique to USA and I was 53 before I learnt it could be contracted here in the UK. Now several of my neighbours in Guildford have also tested positive for it as well as other co infections.
Wishing you both good health and future happiness.”