This story concerns the Heart of Gold TV programme that was hosted by Esther Ranson (Remember it ? )

" Part 1 " Romance is not Dead

Money was so tight when Barrie and Carol Lovell got married that they had to forget a church wedding and they couldn’t even afford a photographer.

And though Carol never complained, Barrie was determined her muted dreams would come true.

In secret for eight months he planned it to coincide with carols 40th birthday and when it dawned he told her to have her hair done as they were going out in her fathers new car.

When carol returned, waiting for her was a personally designed satin wedding dress, 40 red carnations and a carnation-sporting husband who told her:: “hurry up we will be late for our wedding”

Its not often Carol is lost for words, but she stood in the centre of the room with her mouth open, explained Barrie.

The couple where whisked off to St John’s Church where the Vicar was also in on the secret, to take the vows again and have the marriage blessed.

“Together we promised again to Love, honour and Cherish each other” said Barrie, who admits that with the help of friends, had managed to keep the cost of his surprise down to £500.….

Carols Mum and dad Mr & Mrs Ronald Day, were there as well as Barrie’s Brother Michael and waiting outside was the wedding Photographer



“I was just bowled over with it all “ said Carol afterwards “ Barrie knew that secretly I always regretted that because we were so skint we couldn’t afford a proper wedding”

The next thing to surprise Carol was the fact that Barrie had also arranged a reception for 70 guests with a Beautiful Wedding Cake…..

“with a husband like that I was glad to say again “I would love, Honour and cherish him” said carol……………

" Part 2 " Carol,s tale

Because of what Barrie had done for me, I just had to show him how much it meant, so I wrote to Hearts of gold and told them all about what he had done as you have just read.

The programme researcher said it was a story that just had to be told, they agreed that Barrie indeed did have a Heart of Gold so plans were put into place to surprise him.

Barrie was told that the photographer had won a prize in a competition using his and Carol,s Wedding photo. The prize had to be collected in London and that He and Carol were also invited along.

There is an additional story regarding the hotel arrangements but we will leave that for another day.

Anyway, "Surprise Surprise" as Cilla would say, Barrie and Carol ended up in the Hearts of Gold studio along with Esther and due to Barrie,s lovely thoughts and arrangements he was presented with the
Heart of Gold Medal