Press Office

Love is in the air… on the Norwich Union Yorkshire Wheel!

A young couple are to tie the knot 60 metres in the air - in the very first wedding on the Norwich Union Yorkshire Wheel.

Lee Goodwin and Sarah Carling had booked their big day at the National Railway Museum even before the Wheel’s licence was officially confirmed.

“We were anxious to avoid a routine, ‘conveyor-belt’ wedding,”

explained Sarah.

“We wanted to do something a little different, and the Wheel seemed the perfect opportunity.”

Although the couple will exchange vows high above York’s skyline in one of the Wheel’s 42 pods, accompanied by two registrars and two witnesses, assembled family and friends will be able to participate in proceedings from ground level thanks to a special two-way audio-link fitted for the occasion.

The pod will return to ground level for the signing of the register in the Museum’s Great Hall, after which guests will have the opportunity to take a spin themselves - before joining the newlyweds in a champagne reception and buffet meal, also to be held at the Museum.

Lee (32) works as a Technical Administrator for a water utility, while Sarah (23) is Sales and Operations Manager for an IT company. The couple hail from Leicestershire, though their families are widely spread and guests will be attending from all over the country.

“Our families are in Sunderland, Stoke-on-Trent and Lincolnshire, so York seemed the ideal place,” said Lee. “And it was important that we chose somewhere unique which we could make our own. The Wheel fits the bill.”

Sarah added:

“We knew almost as soon as we met that we were going to get married. It was really just a matter of setting the date and choosing a suitable venue.
“The most nail-biting part was waiting for the licence decision for the Wheel. In the end, we only gave our notice of intent at the end of September!”

Head of Museum Andrew Scott said:

“Weddings at the National Railway Museum are becoming increasingly popular. We are pleased to be able to offer not just one but two unique venues - the Museum and the Norwich Union Yorkshire Wheel.
“As well as weddings, the Wheel is available this December for corporate events, private and Christmas parties.”

The ceremony will take place on Friday 20 October at 17:00. To allow for last-minute preparations for the big day, the Wheel will close to the public at 16:15, with the last ticket being sold at 16:00.

Notes for editors

  • The Norwich Union Yorkshire Wheel was licensed for civil ceremonies on 7 August 2006.
  • The Wheel offers a unique view of the historic city of York, including the world famous Minster and the River Ouse. It is the first of its kind in Yorkshire.
  • Reaching 60 metres (200 feet) into the sky, the Norwich Union Yorkshire Wheel comprises a total of 42 climate-controlled pods accommodating up to 8 people at a time. A luxury VIP gondola, sporting leather armchairs and a glass floor, offers something extra for special occasions.
  • The Wheel is located adjacent to the Great Hall at the National Railway Museum. Construction took 11 days following the arrival of its component parts at the Museum’s Leeman Road site. It opened to the public on 12 April 2006 and will be at the NRM for up to three years.

12 October 2006