Anniversary Surprise as couple renew wedding vows
21st October 2009
If revisiting the church where you were married over 22 years ago was not a surprise, imagine traveling half way around the world to see the place of worship where your wedding vows were made to find that a loving husband had arranged to re-new their marriage vows without the wife knowing.

Today, Darren Cass brought his lovely wife Louise and two children from Adelaide, South Australia, for a special visit to St Michael and All Angels Church Lyneham to rekindle memories of the special day on the 29th August 1987. Entering the south porch the family were met by the Parish Church vicar Reverend Jesse Holland, who had prepared himself to conduct a ceremony to renew the happy couples wedding sacrament.

Within a few minutes the surprised Louise had realised what was going on. Totally shell-shocked and speechless, she was gently walked down the aisle, retracing the matrimonial steps with her husband to the chancel screen to start the service. Darren, whose father Alec Cass was stationed on the RAF base as an mechanical transport driver, married his long time sweet-heart, who he met at Wootton Bassett Lime Kiln School during their school days.

Darren joined the Royal Air Force and was stationed at Royal Air Force Valley on the island of Anglesey, decided to marry Louise in Lyneham as a majority of the family lived in the local community. Two years later, then stationed at RAF Kinloss Morayshire, as an Avionics Technician, they returned south to Lyneham to have their son baptised. Matthew, now 21 and currently serving in the Royal Australian Air Force, was baptised then by the RAF Padre Keith Davies on the 27th August 1989. Nearly two years later, in the spring of 1991, his sister Emma was also baptised in the village church. Emma's god-parents John and Jayne Varda joined Heather Genwell to witness the special day for proud parents Louise and Darren on the 3rd March 1991.

During the renewal service today, Darren and Louise lovingly facing each other, gently gripping each others hand, recited the words of the day they got married over 22 years ago. After the short and dignified service, Louise said she was more nervous today than she was on her wedding day, but eventually calming down to realise what was happening, she spoke with so much pride of her special husband, who had secretly arranged this special occasion without any of the family knowing. Even the proud children Matthew and Emma, were not aware of why they were visiting Lyneham church today. A tearful daughter Emma, 19, was so pleased to see the church where her parents married and they were baptised. Wiping away a solemn tear as her dad read out a passage of his love towards her mother. He mentioned that Louise was so special to him and had made his life so complete even on the bad hair days they experienced during their lengthy marriage. Speaking with devotion and sincerity, He said "You have made my life complete and secure, through good times and challenges, and helped me become a better person.  You are still the best part of each day, my best friend and I will love and respect you always."

As they left the church for a celebration meal in the local village public house they personally thanked the minister for sparing the time to make this day so special for Darren and Louise.

Darren Anthony Cass was 21 years old when he married his wife to be and after 13 years in the Royal Air Force decided to emigrate to Australia as he was not keen on the poor weather experienced in his two service postings in Wales and Scotland.

Darren's inspiration started over three months ago as he established contact with the minister just before his departure to the northern hemisphere and made the final arrangements for this special celebration a few days ago. Retracing their memories of the wedding day, Darren was pleased he had methodically arranged this day and it meant so much to him that it all came off without a hitch and his wife arrived on time, 11.30am this morning, hand in hand with him and the children.

Congratulations to you both from everyone at Lyneham.