Derby Wedding for Radyr Bride

Anna Williams who attended Bryn Deri and Radyr Comprehensive School, and also Radyr Methodist Church married Mark Smith in Derby on Saturday 9th February.

After leaving school, Anna gained a degree at Liverpool University before returning to Cardiff. During her time as a Youth worker she learned BSL (British Sign Language for the Deaf) taking it to an advance level at Bristol University. She subsequently worked in education using BSL to help deaf students in the classroom in Derby and Walsall. She recently qualified as a maths teacher and is now teaching in the school for the deaf in Derby.

Mark is an ordained Anglican Minister working as chaplain to the deaf community in Derby.

The service, conducted by the Rev. Anita Matthews, took place in St Peters Church in Derby town centre attended by between 150 and 200 friends and relatives, including many from the deaf community. The address was given by the Rt.Rev’d Dr Alastair Redfern the Bishop of Derby. Anna was escorted down the aisle by her father to the sound of “Calon Lân” in Welsh. All the service, hymns, songs, address and speeches were signed in BSL.

After a toast in the church the party adjourned to another location for buffet and entertainment.

Anna can be contacted on annaclaresmith@googlemail.com .

A report giving a different view of the wedding can be seen at Deaf Church.com.