Speech by Sarah Cleary

Speech Type: Bride
Speech Creator: Sarah Cleary
Speech Date: May 2001
In keeping with tradition I thought it only appropriate to make a speech. Anyone who knows me well enough will know that its hard to keep me quiet. They also know that both me and my husband like to have the last say. Well today its me and let that be a good omen for the future.

You'l all be grateful to know – or at least those of you who remember me from the 80’s – Sue Steve? I'm not going to be going on about the miners or the socialist alliance!

As you've heard from M. We met in a cell at Kingston and I don't seem to remember much about the 2 poor juveniles who were sent down for 5 years a piece. He immediately caught my eye,and I was greatly relieved to have such a normal bloke to go out with. After Mr useless, Mr boring and Mr married.

Anna said rather appropriately just before I met him “why can't you find a nice Hugh Grant lookalike”. Well those of you that can remember Martin back in 1995 will know that he was trying desperately to imitate him. Also what Anna says goes generally.

Then I met his daughter Ella and I was well and truly smitten. Not only that he had a fairly normal family too. The whole family made me feel welcome from the beginning – in fact I like to think they were relieved that he had found his match. I'd like to thank them all for that. Rachel Noel James Jim and of course the amazing Pat – who manages to spread herself very evenly between us all and our traumas and joy.

Thankyou to all of you here today. Bridesmaids special thanks. My sisters now. Here are some presents. Let me say if it was up to my husband you wouldn't be getting one. Out door heaters are one thing…

Biggest thanks of all goes to the wonderful Wendy who is my mentor and my support throughout good times and bad. She's also a bloody good laugh and has great one liners of which you'll be hearing about in a minute.

Of course thanks to Dad and Simon for putting up with another mad woman in the family for so long – and don't think you'll get rid of me so easily. Dad don't forget the tea and toast on Monday morning at 5am. We know we can rely on you.

No seriously we couldn't have made the move North without the two of you.

Last of all thanks to Martin for being my husband, my best mate and a sparring partner, and for being the father of the beautiful Daisy and Camlo.

I've heard many words of advice about marriage and relationships – although not from Leanne – my two favourites are –

He's better than nothing… Carol can you remember that one in Flaxman Rd Brixton a few years ago.

And one which appeals to the criminal lawyer in me –

Men can't live with them – can't stab them to death in broad daylight and then deny it.

In the end I know I'll never find anyone who is so generous, challenging! and most of all who I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life with. Toast to guests.