THE fourth couple to find love on the Isle of Wight Speed Dating Walk were married at St James’s Church, Ryde, at the weekend.
Love blossomed between Michael Edwards, 54, and June Haskell, 46, after the couple met on a rainy day during the Walking Festival in October 2008.
June, an IT analyst, had come to the Island from Sunbury, Middlesex, especially for the festival but never imagined finding 'the one.’
She said: "Michael was the last person I walked with on the day; we found we shared a lot in common and had a similar sense of humour."
The couple struck up a long distance relationship with Michael, a systems analyst at St Mary’s Hospital, and June taking it in turns to visit each other’s home.
They were due to have their reception at Ryde Castle but had to switch to Lakeside Park Hotel, Wootton, after their original venue was destroyed by fire. They have been spending their honeymoon taking part in this year’s walking festival.
Senior events officer at the IW Council, Elaine Cesar, whose team organises the Speed Dating Walk and who attended the wedding, said: "I think it’s just incredible this fun walk has produced four weddings and a baby over the last six years.
"When we first set out on the speed dating walk, we had no idea it would prove to be so successful, so we are thrilled to bits.
"It has created four perfect matches, and many other matches which have formed great friendships."
Find out more about this year’s Isle of Wight Walking Festival in the Isle of Wight County Press, on Friday, May 18.
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk