Secret World Wildlife Rescue in Somerset has hosted its first wedding since the recently restored Bluebell Barn reopened its doors.

The Bluebell Barn on the Secret World site is a Grade II listed building that has recently undergone extensive conservation work with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund. The old piggery barn was reopened last year as a multifunctional learning space and meeting room with a modern extension housing the kitchen, accessible toilets and storage facilities.

Keith Weston, Head of Site Services at Secret World, said: “There has been a lot of work done on the Bluebell Barn in the past two years, both on the building itself, inside and out, and on the area around it which has been fully landscaped.

“The main aim of the restoration work was to create a multifunctional learning space to welcome schools and families and educate them on the work we do at Secret World.

“But the premises are fully licensed which means they also lend themselves to weddings, christenings and corporate events.”

When Samantha and Craig Smith from Walton, who run a small catering business called Doris the Vintage Café Caravan, decided to get married they had their heart set on finding a venue that meant something to them.

On applying for their wedding licence, they spotted a familiar name in the list of venues. Having brought a wounded hedgehog to Secret World in the past, they were familiar with the charity’s work but were unaware that it was licensed for weddings.

Samantha said: “I had a vision for our wedding but found it really difficult to find a venue to match. However, we visited the Bluebell Barn at Secret World and knew instantly that it was the perfect venue for us.

“The Secret World staff were very accommodating and made us feel really special. They allowed us to bring Doris, our vintage caravan turned into a café, on site which made it even more personal to us.

“While our guests were waiting, they could get hot drinks from the caravan and were being entertained by bird handlers with some of Secret World’s resident birds.

“We had the ceremony in the barn with 47 guests in attendance. It was perfect. I would highly recommend Secret World to anyone wanting a wedding venue with a difference.”

The Bluebell Barn can host up to 50 guests and is available for hire on an hourly, half day, full day, weekend or weekly basis. It is fully licensed and is equipped with a kitchen and storage facilities. For more information, please go to www.secretworld.org/bluebell-barn.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue will also host its first wedding fayre on Sunday 9^th April 2017.

Ends

Notes to editors:

About Secret World Wildlife Rescue

• Secret World Wildlife Rescue is a leading wildlife rescue charity (charity number 1097119)
• Secret World (or Bluebell Sett as it was then known) was founded in 1992 by Pauline Kidner.
• In 2005, Secret World Wildlife Rescue grew into a 24/7, 365 days a year wildlife rescue centre, caring for over 5,500 sick, injured and orphaned animals each year.

Sarah-Jane Freni
Account Director
Shooting Star
0117 3131120
sarahjane@weareshootingstar.co.uk

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