On Easter Sunday there was one last special announcement to be made at St Michael & All Angels Church in Middlewich before people left the All Age Service. The Director of Music and Family Work, Jeremy Coles, had one final Easter egg to present and that was to his partner of two years, Leanne Faulkner.
Jeremy and Leanne met during the beginnings of the Covid pandemic; a difficult time for beginning new friendships. After many messages, which developed into phone calls, they tentatively arranged a socially-distanced walk. Their first date was also socially-distanced, at a 75th-anniversary celebration of VE day. Jeremy says: "It wasn't the best start with a Vera Lynne CD playing ‘White Cliffs of Dover’ to the neighbourhood!" This took place on the street where Jeremy lived and led online worship from his living room during the pandemic.
After a failed attempt at saving their first kiss until the top of Snowdon, due to Wales going into their first full lockdown, Jeremy later went public by declaring his love at the top of St Michael's Tower overlooking the Cheshire countryside. As their relationship developed and lockdown eased they introduced each other to their families and began to discuss plans for the future.
On Easter Sunday morning, in front of the church family, friends and relatives, Jeremy dropped to one knee and presented a Fabergé style egg to his partner. After ‘popping the question’ amidst gasps from the congregation and receiving a positive response from Leanne, Jeremy opened the egg to reveal the engagement ring which was duly placed on his fiancée’s finger.
The couple had earlier visited Jeremy’s home parish of St Michael & All Angels, Shelf in Bradford on Easter Saturday where his parents the Revd Geoff and the Revd Pam Coles had begun their married life in the 1960s. Jeremy had his confirmation there at the age of 11. Leanne was confirmed at St Michael & All Angels, Middlewich in March this year by Bishop Julie, after giving her life to Jesus in 2020. Jeremy and Leanne say they are "excited about beginning their married life together after quite an unusual and unique journey."
