1940s Weekend fans Tom and Sarah set to tie the knot in a wartime-style wedding
Vintage fans Tom Harbord and Sarah Evans, who will be getting married during the North Norfolk Railway's annual 1940s weekend. Picture: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant
It was a case of love at first sight when Norwich railway worker Tom Harbord met fellow vintage fan Sarah Evans at a dance held as part of the North Norfolk Railway's 1940s weekend three years ago.
Vintage fans Tom Harbord and Sarah Evans, who will be getting married during the North Norfolk Railway's annual 1940s weekend. Picture: Sarah Evans - Credit: Archant
And the couple are set to tie the knot at St Peter's Church, Sheringham, in a wartime-style wedding during this year's annual event today.
Mr Harbord, 30, said that while he knew immediately that Sarah was 'the one', she took some persuading.
Crowds will soon be packing into Sheringham for the North Norfolk Railway 1940s Weekend. Here is a secne from last year's event. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
'I asked her to dance, but she looked straight ahead and said 'no',' he explained. 'But there was something saying to me that this was my perfect woman and I couldn't let her go.'
Their paths crossed again at a pub a couple of hours later and after talking, former Sheringham High School student Ms Evans relented.
The Eastern Daily Press celebrated North Norfolk Railway's 1940s with a special front page (Picture: Archant) - Credit: Archant
'He was so romantic and old fashioned and we had such a good rapport,' she said. 'He held my hand and walked me home and it grew from there.'
After a surprise proposal from Mr Harbord two years ago, the couple moved in together and now live in Ms Evans grandparents' former house in her home town of Sheringham.
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Ms Evans, a primary school teacher in London for 27 years before returning to north Norfolk in 2013, said because she was brought up by her grandparents from the age of 13 after the death of her mother, the 1940s weekend has added significance.
'My grandparents looked after young German prisoners of war in the 1940s and I grew up with that 'make do and mend' mentality, so I really identify with that generation,' she explained.
'And, because we met during the 1940s weekend and always look forward to it, it seemed the natural thing to do to have our wedding coincide with it.'
Ms Evans's sons Elijah, 11, and Vincent, six, will give her away, while daughter Sylvie, 13, and Tom's sister Ruby, 14, will be bridesmaids.
And, as well as welcoming their own 120 guests, the pair are inviting other couples to renew their vows during the ceremony in what has become a 1940s Weekend St Peter's Church tradition.
The 1940s Weekend continues on Sunday. Visit the North Norfolk Railway website.
