Couple cancel reception as Weymouth Pavilion faces closure (From Dorset Echo)

Couple cancel reception as Weymouth Pavilion faces closure

11:00am Friday 1st February 2013 in News By Joanna Davis

A BRIDE-TO-BE has hit out at council staff for not telling her that her dream wedding reception at Weymouth Pavilion might not go ahead.

Welsh couple Cath Jenkin and Anthony Byrne booked the Ocean Room in the theatre building for a June 15 wedding after becoming engaged in the resort while on a romantic holiday.

Miss Jenkin, 40, of Cardiff, said she was furious she had to find out from a friend that the building now faces demolition because of its spiralling maintenance costs.

The couple now face a frantic search to find a new location in Weymouth in which to host the evening reception.

Mum-of-two Miss Jenkin said: “Living in Cardiff, we’ve been oblivious to everything that’s been said about the Pavilion closing.

“We were in blissful ignorance until our friend from Weymouth, Mike Taylor, rang us.”

Weymouth artist Mr Taylor befriended the couple and helped Miss Jenkin stage an unusual marriage proposal in March last year.

He painted a picture of Miss Jenkin popping the question to an unsuspecting Mr Byrne, which the couple strolled past while on a seafront stroll.

Because the area holds a special place in their hearts, nurse Miss Jenkin and sales rep Mr Byrne, 38, selected St Laurence Church in Upwey as a location to tie the knot.

It was to be followed by an afternoon reception at the Upwey Wishing Well and the evening reception at the Ocean Room.

She said: “When I heard the Pavilion might close down I felt disbelief.

“At first I thought it was nothing serious but then I believed him that this was serious and started to become more and more upset.”

Miss Jenkin said the couple, who have two daughters, have invited 120 guests from Wales to the evening reception.

She said: “They’ve all booked accommodation in Weymouth to stay overnight so we need to find somewhere else in Weymouth.

“I feel like the wedding reception has lost its sparkle so I’m cancelling the Pavilion. I now wonder what kind of service would be left for us if the building was at the end of its days.

“The fact that we could be the last ones in there is a horrible thought.

“It’s a sinking ship.”

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council should have let her know earlier that the future of the Pavilion was in jeopardy, Miss Jenkin said.

Miss Jenkin was eventually put in the picture by Pavilion manager Max Grayson and has cancelled the booking.

If you can provide Miss Jenkin and Mr Byrne with an evening reception location on Saturday, June 15, call the Echo newsdesk on 01305 830999.