Magical celebrations for newlyweds

A CELEBRATION of colour, spiritualism and ritual was held at a farm near Thetford as a pagan couple tied the knot.

A CELEBRATION of colour, spiritualism and ritual was held at a farm near Thetford as a pagan couple tied the knot.

Leigh English and her husband Peter Stimpson wed in front of family and friends according to pagan tradition and will follow with a civil ceremony to legalise the occasion.

The service was held outdoors in front of a priestess at J Trump Game Farm on Park Road in Coney Weston and each guest stood in an “element”, either earth, air, fire or water.

The couple jumped over a broomstick, had their hands tied together with a ball and chain - pagan weddings are often known as handfastings, - and followed with a reception in the field.

Paganism is a diverse belief with some groups concentrating on specific traditions such as ecology or witchcraft, while others believe in a spiritual existence.

Mrs English, 50, a tattoo artist who lives with Mr Stimpson, 47, a lorry driver, in Attleborough, said: “We believe that what you give you receive so if you take something from the land you have to give something back.

“We roasted a pig (at the wedding) and the part we didn't eat we buried to fertilise the ground. If I'm good to people I expect them to be good back and I believe that if I'm nasty to someone they'll be nasty back.”

The wedding ceremony began with the rings being passed through the four elements and the future life of the couple was blessed. They then swore the oaths that will define their relationship and their hands were unbound in a token that they remain together of their free will.

Mrs English added: “It was everything I wanted and more. It was magical and amazing.”