Show inspires new beginning (From York Press)

Show inspires new beginning

10:09am Thursday 12th July 2007 in

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THEIR eyes met over a vintage tractor at the Great Yorkshire Show.

Now, three years on, Emma Thomas and Nigel Curran, of Chatsworth Avenue, Strensall, near York, are to marry.

The couple met after Nigel, who was standing at the display of vintage tractors with friend and best man Will Taylor, waved as Emma walked past.

She said: "Hello," and the pair of them spent the rest of the day togther - with Nigel pushing Will out of the way whenever he went near Emma.

Nigel, 36, speaking during a visit by the couple to the showground yesterday, recalled: "Somehow I managed to get her phone number and we ended up in the bar having a drink."

As well as meeting at the show, Nigel intended proposing there two years later, in 2006, but was thwarted by Emma's brother Edward, who kept interrupting him at crucial moments.

But a few days later, he plucked up courage, got on one knee, and proposed on July 15 last year.

Emma, 34, a health and safety officer for North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership, said: "I was so shocked, I think I told him to get off the floor."

But she did say yes, and on Sunday, a year to the day after Nigel proposed, they will marry at St Mary's Church, Strensall.

Tractors have played a large part of both of their lives, apart from helping them to meet.

Nigel works on a farm at Collingham, near Wetherby, and has helped restore them, while Emma had a toy tractor as a child, but always wanted a real one.

But they have had to draw the line at having a tractor to take them to or from the church on the big day.

Emma said: "We were hoping to have a tractor at the wedding, but it would have caused such confusion and wouldn't have worked, as everyone who can drive them will be busy. I did joke that I would put a pair of overalls on over my dress, but maybe not."

Since meeting Nigel, Emma has got behind the wheel and taken part in ploughing competitions. She came second in a novices class at her first attempt and also walked away with the ladies' cup - although she was the only woman in the competition.

Following their wedding, the newlyweds will honeymoon in the Lake District and go somewhere more exotic in the winter, when Nigel is not as busy on the farm.

They both plan to continue coming to the show.

Nigel said: "We have both visited it for many years, and coming on a Wednesday is now a bit of a tradition. I wonder how many other people can say they met their future spouse at the Great Yorkshire Show?"