Can they fix it? Yes they can! Thetford man praises ‘salt of the earth’ builders for escorting disabled son to his wedding
Left to right, friend Clive Walker, bride Dee Pickersgill, groom Gary Pickersgill and Joan Walker at the wedding. Picture: GARY PICKERSGILL - Credit: Archant
After travelling from Boston for his dad's wedding day, it was the last 100 metres that nearly stopped a father and son sharing the special day together.
Gary Pickersgill has thanked 'salt of the earth' builders for escorting his son through roadworks in Bridge Street, Thetford so his son could attend his wedding. Picture: GARY PICKERSGILL - Credit: Archant
But now a Thetford parent has praised wonder workmen who escorted his disabled son along a road blocked by roadworks, so he could join him at the altar.
Gary Pickersgill, 59, was almost left heartbroken on Valentine's Day when roadworks in Bridge Street, Thetford prevented his son driving to the register office in nearby King Street.
His son Darren Brown, 42, had travelled from Boston, Lincolnshire for the wedding.
However due to health problems with his hips and knees, he was only able to walk five metres - meaning the roadworks were preventing him from getting inside the registry office.
MORE: Businesses share concerns about road closures in Thetford town centreMr Pickersgill said: 'He rang me from the top of Bridge Street in a panic, as he can only walk very slowly and in great pain for very short distances.
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'He was with his wife and my grandson when he called and was very upset.
'I walked outside and saw the guys working on the road, stripping off the surface before they laid the new one.
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'I approached one of the workers and said: 'I'm getting married in about five minutes and my son is disabled and stuck at the top of Bridge Street - can you help me?'
'They told me: 'He'll be there' - and off they went.'
The builders escorted Mr Brown's car through the roadworks and even built a ramp to the parking area of the register office so it would be easier for him to drive in.
Mr Pickersgill added: 'I would just like all of Thetford to know that working right in their midst are a load of marvels. They took worry off mine and my son's shoulders and allowed him to be at my side as I got wed.
'As far as I am concerned, those road builders are the salt of the earth.'
King Street, Bridge Street and White Hart Street were closed for resurfacing from Sunday, February 12 to Wednesday, February 15.
Do you know the builders? Email louisa.baldwin@archant.co.uk
