Play.Eat.Laugh.Sleep..Pickwell: So so glad that the rain stopped

Sunday, 19 June 2011

So so glad that the rain stopped

Sarah and Phil's wedding this weekend has been truely wonderful, what a completely lovely couple and their friends and family too. I felt very privelidged to be a part of it.

Living locally they had been inspired by our amazing Devon beaches and had an ingenious idea for their table plan (above).

Many reclined during the day on the his and hers deckchairs.

The use of vibrant blue and wonderful bright colours gave a real feel of sunshine and fun. Sarah had her heart set on getting married outside and after a very rainy start to the day and a very nerve racking morning with the weather, we all made a last minute brave decision to go for having the ceremony outside (thanks to the emost wonderful registra) and it was fantastic, just what they had hoped for and the sun even made an appearance or two.

The boys then embarked upon an extreemly competative game of croquet during the drinks reception, I hope the mojito's didn't fuel the competativeness too much.

We were nervous that the forecast rain would render the BBQ rather damp, so Lee and James (our fantastic Chef and his trusty right hand man) errected 3 gazebos in the courtyard and the feast of wonderful BBQing aromas began, Lee turns into a proper showman when BBQ tongs are in his hand.... On the BBQ menu was Salmon, haloumi kebabs, marinated chicken and home made beef burgers, delicious.

A very talented local girl, Lucy Cheetham of 'Juicy Lucy Cupcakes' made this cupcake bonanza. Everyone comented on how delicious they were and they were a perfect second course to the evening Devon delicasy of fish and chips, brought round to guests in little cardboard cartons with Lee's home made tartar sauce on the side (I don't think I am doing them justice with the description, I must remember to take a photo next time).

I don't think the tennis court has seen so much action at a wedding... The boys post croquet embarked upon a 5 aside tennis match. Then after dinner some girls got involved and basketball began, this was followed by an egg throwing competition which apparently was a university tradition, brilliant!!

Then into the evening the disco was fantastic, Sarah and Phil had put together their own playlist and here is Sarah kicking off the tunes.

Rich and I are both exhausted and elated after such a wonderful weekend. Rich picked up the girls from granny and grandad's where they had had a brilliant weekend and we headed to Woolacombe beach in blissful sunshine for a fathers day picnic of Daddy's choice.... Take away pizza.

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Our Story

Many people have asked what the story is, how did the Bakers and Elliotts come to be at Pickwell?

Are you sitting comfortably?

Tracey and Susannah became friends at 6th form college. Steve and Tracey lived in the same village in Sussex. Steve's dad was the vicar and Tracey's dad was Steve's scout leader. Even more wierd, Susannah's dad (also a church minister) and Steve's dad were friends, but Steve and Sus never met.

One summer Tracey took Susannah along to a youth summer camp. Steve was one of the leaders (read : heightened attraction) and a little later Steve and Sus got together. During their 6 on/off years they met Richard, a blue eyed boy from Guildford.

At a club night run by Steve, somehow through the dark and crowded room, Tracey and Richard bumped into eachother (if you have seen the shapes they pull on the dancefloor you would know how easily this happened)..

In the year 2000 they all got married. Tracey and Susannah were eachother's bridesmaids. They have remained firm friends ever since.

When Steve and Susannah came across Pickwell Manor, they knew they couldn't manage such a project on their own. They asked the Elliotts if they would give up their house, their jobs and their community to come and live and work with them and own the project together. They knew there weren't many people they could ask to do such a thing knowing they would still love each other by the end. So they all left everything in Sussex and came to Devon.

They moved on the same day in August 2008. It has been a crazy, wonderful, scary, emotional and beautiful experience so far. All of them would say they feel very ALIVE!

Since they moved they have run 51 successful and wonderful weddings (with more to come), many, many holidays, built or totally refurbished 6 apartments from scratch, updated carpets, painted white throughout, put in quite a few kitchens and bathrooms (including 2 baths on concrete plinths), changed much of the furniture, converted a laundry and have started to convert the chapel. Every year they also have a bonfire gathering in October, an Easter Eggstravaganza fundraising event, and anything else that is not-for-profit that they can fit in. Tracey has completed a dissertation and gone back to nursing for 2 days a week, Steve has started up a new company in London, Richard has mastered a lot of the running of the house as well as training as a coach, specialising in stress management, Sus has taken on the interiors and Tracey and Susannah have learnt weddings in at the deep end! All with 4 young Pickwellians by their sides.

"Our passion is for making life count. Our values lie in
friendship, celebration, valuing others, and social justice. We see Pickwell as a reflection of these things but also a place for rest, recouperation, laughter and conversation. We want to support charities and social enterprises to fufil their dreams and make a difference."

"We love Devon, we love the community here, we love seeing our children grow with nature and discovering the great outdoors. We have to pinch ourselves sometimes when we think about our life here, it is amazing".