What a glorious day to start our September wedding diary. The run round the M25 up the M1 and along the A50 was uneventful. Very little traffic for a Friday and we arrived safe and early.

Caveswall Castle looks every bit the perfect setting for a fairytale wedding and we are to play in the dungeon!!

First things first though we need to eat… The local Red Lion pub on the village square doesn’t start cooking until six o’clock so a quick run back to the A50 and we happen upon yet another “Hungry Horse” … when will locals realise that to compete with the big boys all they need to do is be open at meal times!! We, like a lot of people, always look for a good country pub to eat in.

Our singer is travelling up from London by Virgin (alright for some!!) and needs picking up from Stoke-on-Trent railway station at 5.50pm just in time for him to miss the set up … again..

The Castle staff were concerned that our sprinter would not fit under the portcullis and that we would probably have to load in from the other side of the bridge through the gardens and conservatory and then down the stairs into the dungeon. A quick check reveals plenty of room … thank goodness..!

The Dungeon itself is quite a small room about 16 by 20 feet so some ingenuity is called for to use the space efficiently -just as well we carry all the gear with us. We manage to fit in quite well ready for Emily and Tom to cut the cake and perform their first dance together Andy Williams “ Cant take my eyes off of you”. I don’t think I’ve seen a dance floor so packed.. You couldn’t move for bodies.

With the first set over we were treated to a fantastic barbecue cooked and supplied by Clifton Meats of Blackpool. What a great evening. Here we are in the centre of England in September its 22:00 and we are outside enjoying the delights of barbecued steak, sausage, bacon and chicken.

When we start the second set with James Browns “Night Train” there is absolutely nobody on the dance floor but before we finished the second number we are swimming in bodies again. This family certainly know how to enjoy themselves which is great for us. One is particularly enthusiastic about joining the Redfords on stage!!

The third set begins on a high and then the police turn up!!  Apparently the venue only has a temporary entertainment licence and the neighbours (who don’t like live music) actually live attached to the Castle. A quick adjustment with the sound levels and moving the bass guitar amp from off the window shelf and we are up and running again problem solved!

By 11.59pm precisely we are done!. Strict instructions from the Baron!! As the village clock strikes 01.00am we are opening the spike-studded gates and making our way over the bridge and home. The run down to Kent takes three and a half hours including a stop at the famous Watford Gap. By this time the temperature has dropped so just as well we are equipped with North Face jackets.

Good luck to Emily and Tom in their new life together.