Melton rector criticises new wedding restrictions

Rev Kevin Ashby said it was ‘painful’ for couples to have to whittle down further the number of people who can attend their big day and that the town church could have safely handled 30 with social distancing measures in place.

He was speaking after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Tuesday that more needed to be done to limit the spread of Covid-19 following a recent spike in cases.

Rev Ashby told the Melton Times: “Having only 15 guests is painful for people, particularly when funerals can still have 30 people present.

“Boris said they were keeping that number for funerals on compassionate grounds.

“But knocking it down to 15 for weddings is not compassionate at all.

“It’s embarrassing more than anything else for a couple to cancel their wedding at two weeks notice or suddenly have to tell people they can’t come because only 15 people can now attend.”

He said several couples had already postponed their weddings in the parish until next year in the hope that infection cases have reduced by then and bigger events can be held.

“The difficult thing is the 15 limit also includes myself, the organist and whoever is stewarding the wedding so in effect there are even fewer guests who can actually attend,” added Rev Ashby.

“We could have gone ahead with 30 at St Mary’s although that would have meant people still couldn’t have a reception with the restriction on social gatherings.

“But couples are prepared to forgo a reception as long as they can have their wedding with all of their loved ones and friends present in church.”

Rev Ashby said he had officiated at many funerals since lockdown in March where attendances have been well down on what they would have been if the pandemic had not been a factor.

He added: “We have had numerous funerals where the place would have been packed.

“A lot of people have said they want to hold larger memorial services at a later date when more people can pay their respects.

“Our diary is filling up for 2021 with deferred weddings and memorial services.”

Have you cancelled your wedding in the Melton area this year because of the pandemic? Email us at [email protected] please.