Tate Hill beach, on Christmas Day 2024, Mike asked Vanessa to be handfasted to him and he presented her with a beautiful Whitby Jet ring. Vanessa (known as ‘Ness’) instantly accepted, and they were greeted with cheers of congratulations from the Whitby Goth and locals community when they entered the hallowed ground of The Little Angel pub afterwards.
Mike (former member of Dhampyres) and Ness are two people who are meant to be together. They are inseparable and after over 25 years of marriage their bond is stronger than ever.
3 months later, on a windy day in March, over 70 people gathered to witness Mike and Ness become handfasted partners forever and a day on Tate Hill beach. The tide was high (a fact, not just a Blondie track) and even though it was extremely windy, the love surrounding them was full of warmth for them.
Ellie (aka Starr, my wife) from (Alternative Ceremonies UK) created and performed a Pagan handfasting ceremony which also included a broom jumping. Friends and family members wrapped the handfasting cord with friend ‘B’ representing their gorgeous little Jack Russell Pip who was present.
Ness looked beautiful; a Goth bride dressed in black and purple. Mike wore black with red, and his bright pink hair under his hat was a focal point. The wind was fierce, but the fire lit by their friend added to the warmth created by the love for them both from everyone there.
Mike and Ness were bound together, saying vows they had written to each other with an oathing stone from Whitby beach. Their friend Sarah wrote a poem for them to be read during the ceremony. In the novel ‘Dracula’, The Demeter washed ashore the same beach bringing with it Dracula. Favoured by Whitby Goths and locals, Tate Hill is a much loved beach, and it became the natural venue for Mike and Ness’ ceremony.
Our daughter in law Jo from Films by Jo captured the ceremony. At the end of their ceremony everyone present left the ceremony space by jumping over their broom to make their way to Whitby Amateur Rowing Club for the reception where I changed my photographer’s hat for my DJ’s hat (literally).
A few days later we met to take some images at Whitby Abbey due to the storm like cold wind causing Whitby Abbey to close on the day.
They asked for donations to be made to The Sophie Lancaster Foundation rather than presents. Mike and Ness are true soulmates who are meant to be together, and they are both much loved and respected people here in Whitby.
Even after the darkest night, the sun will rise again. For if the heart is strong enough, the soul is reborn with each new day.
Bram Stoker
