Lydia Evans-Hughes with the cop who helped get her to church
Lydia Evans-Hughes and her parents Yvette and Alan Fletcher, who live near Bridgnorth, were almost halfway to the venue when the car broke down on a busy dual carriageway.
But thanks to Police Inspector Matt Geddes, who was assisted by traffic cops, the bride was spared the blush as he drove her to her destination in his police car.
Lydia, 29, and husband Tidur Evans-Hughes, 31, had already postponed their wedding twice due to the pandemic, and the couple were hoping they would be lucky for a third time.
The police come to help the stranded newlyweds. Photo: @TrafficWalesN
“I was at reception the night before and when the car left there it was fine for the first five miles – then it just gave up,” said Lydia, who has been with her husband for six years.
“I was afraid of climbing over the guardrail and standing on the side of the road.
“Then a police car pulled up behind us five to ten minutes later.
“They saw it was a wedding car and offered us a ride. That was the first time that day that I had tears of relief.”
Lydia and Tidur Evans-Hughes on their wedding day
The bride’s transport had left Soughton Hall near Mold and was traveling on the A55 to St. Mary’s Church in Eccleston near Chester when it broke down on Friday.
But then Inspector Geddes came to take the bride and groom with him and set off after the traffic officials arrived.
“He asked how many of us we wanted to do a gig and my dad said a big one, so he put on blues and twos,” said Lydia, who grew up in Badger, near Bridgnorth and a former student at Beckbury CofE Primary School is.
“Because everything happened so quickly and how quickly they showed up, I wasn’t too late at all – it couldn’t have been planned any better.
Lydia Evans-Hughes
“I’m just incredibly happy. All in all, it went really well.
“We wanted to get married in June last year, but it was delayed because of Covid, then in May of this year, but that was also postponed.
“The fact that we finally have our day and that everyone could be there is simply priceless. It was such a nice end.
“The most incredible and sincere thanks to the police. What would we have done without them?”
Civil servant Lydia and plumbing and heating engineer Tidur, originally from Chirk, got engaged in November 2018 and now live in Wrexham.
Lydia Evans-Hughes
Lydia, who was also a member of a dance troupe in the Severn Valley, added, “I hope it’ll sail smoothly now and we can settle down and enjoy married life.”
Insp Geddes said: “I was happy to have helped. The somewhat unusual arrival caused some smiles after a stressful situation, being stuck on the edge of a busy A55 is not nice at best.
“The bride looked beautiful, the sun was shining and she was just a little late! I wish the couple a wonderful day and a long and happy life together.”
Police also posted about the incident on Twitter, including a photo showing the stranded bridal shower.
On Friday, Traffic Wales said: “The true love run never went smoothly …
Lydia and Tidur Evans-Hughes
“Our traffic cops arrived on site this afternoon to help a bride in a broken vehicle!
“We removed the vehicle while @NWPolice took them to the ceremony. I wish the bridal couple all the best! “
The course of true love never went smoothly …
Our traffic cops arrived on site this afternoon to help a bride in a broken vehicle! 👰
We removed the vehicle while @NWPolice took them to the ceremony💒
I wish the bridal couple all the best! pic.twitter.com/aFynbY5NsB
– Traffic Wales North & Central #KeepWalesSafe (@TrafficWalesN) August 27, 2021
Members of the North Wales Police Intercept Team later confirmed: “We got you to church on time!”
