Peterborough community rally to make couple’s dream come true with Valentine’s wedding

Dale Adams and Eline Takken have been given special permission to get married during lockdown following Eline’s recent diagnosis of serious illness.

The couple live in Farcet and, upon hearing the news about Eline’s diagnosis and the wedding, friends and neighbours have stepped in to help organise the wedding.

Karen Grant has stepped up to the role of main organiser and has been supported by a number of neighbours and local businesses who have donated everything from the flowers and decorations for the church, use of a car to take them to and from the service, a photographer to capture the special day, afternoon tea and even down to the dress and suit that Eline and Dale will wear.

Karen said: “We have all decided to come together as a community to make Sunday a special day for the two of them.

“There has been a real community spirit here since lockdown, we had a distanced street party for VE Day with each of us in our own front gardens, we’ve done the clap for carers, we’ve had days where we’ve taken requests and played songs for a singalog and on the day it was supposed to be Glastonbury we had our own celebration and all dressed up, Dale and Eline really went for it and got dressed up as hippies.

“That’s how I got to know them and find out they’re both real characters and that Eline is always so positive, she would never let anything beat her. She would also do anything for anyone, she regularly donates to the Air Ambulance and will always help out a homeless person if she passes one.

“That’s why when we heard Eline’s news we decided we had to do everything we could, everyone has been so kind.”

Dale and Eline have been engaged for the last 11 years after meeting through their mutual love of darts.

Eline, who is originally from the Netherlands, said: “We first met through playing in darts tournaments. I taught myself English so sometimes I don’t pronounce a word or spell it right and he was always the first to tell me if I did that.

“When we were drawn together I used to think oh my word not him. We got talking though and eventually agreed we’d visit each other and here we are now.

“It was such a big surprise when I found out about the wedding. I had said that I don’t need anything for Christmas, I already have everything but he made me open my card and in it he said he was going to marry me. It was lucky I had some tissues close by.

“Everyone has been so kind and I know Karen has some great ideas, some I know about and some that will be a surprise on the day.

“I’m really looking forward to the day and I’m just going to stay positive and keep fighting. I’m not in any pain and will enjoy the beautiful day.”

Due to the current restrictions, St Mary’s Church in Farcet has been granted a special licence to hold the service.

Dale and Eline are only allowed four guests and Reverend Carol Avery will also be there to carry out the service.

Eline. who has always dreamed of a church wedding, will be given away by friend and neighbour Andy, while Dale’s son Daniel will be the ring bearer, with his daughters Kelly and Joanne carrying out the best woman and bridesmaid duties.

The rings have arrived after being shipped over from Germany and now final arrangements are being made before the service on Sunday.

Reverend Avery said: “It’s a privilege to be involved in making this a special day for them.

“It will be a lovely moment and there will be plenty of smiles but a few tears as well I think.

“They have so much in common and share a great sense of humour, they’ve been great to talk to and I’m really looking forward to marrying them. They have really made the most of their time together and have already shown such a commitment to be there for each other in sickness and in health.

“We’ll still be doing exactly the same service but I’ll just be a bit further away. It will certainly be joyful as that is the number one thing Eline said she wants.

“I think one of the lovely things about this wedding is that there has been so much support from the community, which just shows them how important they are to everyone and how the community is right there with them.”