Newly-weds hold their wedding reception at neighbours' street party

Bride and groom Jane and Dave Sharpe - and wedding guests - joined neighbours in Gordon Road, Haywards Heath, after tying the knot at Haywards Heath Town Hall.

The neighbours had teamed up to stage the fundraising street celebration which, said organiser Niiki Goodeve, “saw residents young and old enjoying some good old-fashioned community spirit.”

The party, complete with live music, barbecue, fun raffle, bouncy castle, face-painting, charity bar - and more - raised more than £1,400 for the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity.

Meanwhile, to mark the happy couple’s big day, bride Jane was wheeled up the street by her husband in a wheelbarrow which was decorated by neighbours with tin cans and banners to begin their first dance song: ‘Love is in the air.’

Said Jane, 51: “It was hilarious.”

Jane and hubby Dave, 48, chose their wedding day to coincide with the street party so that they wouldn’t miss out on the fun.

“We moved to Gordon Road a year ago and the following day met all our neighbours when they held a street party.

“When we got engaged at Christmastime, someone suggested having the reception at this year’s street party. We thought about it - we wanted something informal - and then decided it was a brilliant idea,” said Jane.

Gordon Road is renowned for its sense of community and hosting regular street parties that raise money for charity.

First inspired by ‘The Big Lunch’ organisation, the street regularly takes part in the Government-backed ‘Playing Out’ scheme which supports neighbourhoods that want children to be able to play freely outside their own front door.

For their latest venture, the entire road was dressed in bunting and closed to traffic while neighbours set up their tables and chairs to line Gordon Road.

Said Nikki: “The sun shone all day, altogether it was a fantastic, fun-filled day to which Gordon Road residents would like to encourage more streets to follow in their example.”

The neighbours chose to raise funds for the Rockinghorse Foundation because one of the road’s former residents received respite care from them for their disabled child.