(Via Enjoy Bearwood)
On the day we are expecting the biggest snow fall of the year we would like to bring a Ready Brek glow to your souls with the following little story…….
On the 16th August 1894, Miss Julia Adkins and the Rev Henry Tilley were married and unified two families that were to help shape and create Bearwood. Amongst their VIP guest list were people that have a significant link to Smethwicks Industrial History, like Mr and Mrs Keen, Mr and Mrs Nettlefold, Mr and Mrs Kenrick. Also on this list were the Chamberlain family, who had serious links to the poltical history of our country. St Mary's church was built because of this union and was where this couple said their vows, with the reception being held at The Lightwoods House.
Now you may be wondering what relievance this has but after the Adkins family left, Alexander Chance set up a committee to save the house and park from developers and in 1902, after raising money and purchasing it for £11,500, handed it to Birmingham City Council for use for the people of the city and beyond.
Fast forward to present day, this week, and what we believe to be another historic stepping stone on the pathway to the full renovation of this beautful house and parkand. It is proposed that in a few years members of the public will be able to follow in the footsteps of Julia and Henry, along the famous corridors of this house as a married couple. In the meantime, couples can now get married in Lightwoods using our beautiful bandstand which is now licensed for ceremonies.
The first wedding has now being booked for Friday 24th May 2013, with local couple Maria and Lee (pictured here in Lightwoods Park) being the first members of the public ever to get married in Lightwoods Park. We know its taken over 110 years… but we are sure that Alexander Chance would approve!
The Bearwood Blog 
That is lovely Congratulations .Maria and Lee
Brilliant Bearwood AGAIN! I wish as a ‘Bearwood lad’ I could have had my wedding at Lightwoods House and the photographs in the Shakespeare Garden and on the bandstand and around the park amongst the mature trees when I got married 22 years ago…my wife Mary would have loved it…as it was we got married at The Church of the Redeemer in Edgbaston off the Hagley Road near Perrott’s Folly in Waterworks Road/Monument Road. We had the photos in the Church of the Redeemer Garden by our lovely photographer Vince . I often wonder if he is still around Edgbaston/Handsworth/Bearwood as he was a member of the Church of the Redeemer congregation? Happy memories and days……we had our Reception at The Apollo Hotel on the Hagley Road at the Rotton Park Road/Norfolk Road traffic light junction…a great and memorable day and Mary and I are still happily married to this day………!
Would you like to book a great band for the wedding reception after???
All the musicians/singers gig with some of the best artists in the country!
Please check out our website http://www.De-Amour.co.uk
How lovely, my family and I have lived in Bearwood for many generations and were amoungst the first pupils to attend Abbey schools. I would love to be a part of this truly amazing day and so would like to offer the happy couple our wedding photography services for FREE . One to certainly go down in history. Can you advise how we could make this offer to them. If they have booked a photographer, maybe we could be a free extra ?????
Great news and congratulations to Maria and Lee. When we got married 10 years ago, we went and had some wedding photos taken on the bandstand en route to our reception! Love the setting and great to hear about the history too.
The House and Park will be completed for you to renew your vows on your 25th anniversary Keith!!!
Carly- if Maria or Lee havent seen your very gracious offer I will certainly pass it on to them
From the very happy husband and wife to be, we would love to take up such a generous offer! We were relying on family members to take photos but obviously professional ones would be even better. We are trying to keep it a truly local wedding and therefore any local businesses involved is wonderful. Thank you again!
That is so wonderful, I am so excited to be a part of the big day. Our website is http://www.rstudiophotography.co.uk.
Please email me your contact details so that we can book you in for a save the date shoot and meet Steve . Carly@rstudiophotography.co.uk . As we promised all free as our gift to you xxxxx