A TREE campaign group have thanked a shop-owning couple with a romantic reminder of their wedding vows.
Volunteers at Trees For Cotherstone clubbed together to create a plaque on a tree for Adam and Karolina Alston in recognition of their 18 months of hard work at the village post office and shop on the B6277.
The pair tied the knot in October nine years after they first met in London.
Co-founder and treasurer of the group Ian Moorhouse said villagers had feared for the future of their post office and shop before the couple arrived.
“For years and years this post office and shop had been up for sale and we were very afraid we would lose them both,” he added.
“Then Adam and Karolina came along and made it such a nice space – we think it’s a lovely shop and there have been so many improvements.
“When they decided to get married we thought it would be a nice thing to commemorate their wedding with a tree.”
The oak sapling sits on the path off The Hagg, near Cotherstone, and Mrs Alston braved the snow to help hammer in the plaque last week.
“It’s definitely a different kind of wedding present,” she said.
“I think we found out a couple of weeks before we actually got married – we tried to keep it a secret but we were closed for a couple of days.
“Ian told us about the tree and we thought it was a really nice idea.”
Mr Moorhouse said the oak would join the ranks of the countless native trees planted by the campaign group.
The Alstons took over the shop-cum-post office in May 2016 when Alan and Dorothy Christon retired after 32 years.
Trees For Cotherstone volunteer Robin Quick paid tribute to the new couple’s work.
“We could not do without it and they are exceptionally good,” he added.
Villager Chris Best has lived in Cotherstone since 1979.
She said: “It’s been a fantastic improvement in here – they always smile and say good morning and they’ve made the place so much more open and inviting.
“I’m about to leave but I think I will miss the shop as much as I miss the village.”
