Sheffield couple set to tie the knot after 'enchanting' experience at Brodsworth Hall

A Sheffield couple are set to tie the knot after becoming engaged at the Enchanted Garden at Brodsworth Hall.

Rob McPherson, 31, proposed to Catherine Moore, 26, in a very unique way. Using a torch and a very slow exposure on a camera, Rob popped the question by writing the words ‘Marry me’ in light.

Rob said, “I got the idea from a low light photography project I’ve been working on and the Enchanted Garden provided the perfect setting as it looked fantastic in the photograph and it’s an event we both love. I asked Catherine to operate the camera as I wrote out the words using a torch. Catherine couldn’t tell what I’d written until the picture came up on the back of the camera. And I’m pleased to say she said ‘yes’!”

The restored gardens of Brodsworth Hall, near Doncaster, are brought to life with light and music every evening until Sunday 4 November, as part of the atmospheric son-et-lumière spectacular Enchanted Garden.

Jon Hogan, Event Manager for Enchanted Garden said, “We’ve always known that the Enchanted Garden provides an incredibly romantic setting for our visitors, but a couple getting engaged at the event is a first! We’re really thrilled for Rob and Catherine and we wish them all the best.”

Brodsworth Hall last staged its Enchanted Garden event in 2009, and the public has been clamouring for the return of the night-time event ever since. Until Sunday 4 November, visitors are invited to follow a path around the gardens which reveals floodlit vistas in a variety of colours, offering a whole new perspective on the Victorian concept of a pleasure garden ‘with a surprise around every corner’.

The event is being staged in association with York-based Camel Event Production, who co-ordinated the illumination for the Enchanted Garden’s first three year run, from 2007 to 2009. “This job is such a pleasure, as the gardens truly lend themselves to this kind of event, with the hard and soft landscaping providing excellent canvases for the light effects,” comments Kevin Wilson, owner of Camel Event Production. “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with English Heritage to deliver this autumn spectacular, which really is one of the must-see events of the autumn in South Yorkshire.”

The Enchanted Garden opens at 6.30pm each evening and runs until 9.00pm (last admissions at 8.30pm). Prebooking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment. Advance tickets are priced at £9.00 for adults, £7.50 for concessions and £7.00 for children, or £10.00, £9.00 and £8.50 on the door. English Heritage members receive a £1 discount per ticket.

Tickets are available from English Heritage’s Customer Service team on 0870 333 1183 or from Brodsworth Hall itself. For more details, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworthhall or call 01302 722598.

ENDS

The long-exposure photographs taken by Rob to make his proposal are available via the links below.  A selection of high resolution photographs from the Enchanted Garden event at Brodsworth Hall are also available.

For further media information, please contact:

Gemma Sneyd

Marketing Manager

English Heritage (Yorkshire)

gemma.sneyd@english-heritage.org.uk

07775 713425