The couple behind Spotted in Ely have described their whirlwind wedding at Ely Cathedral as “a fairytale”.
Mark Cooney and Alison Powell tied the knot on Thursday afternoon, livestreamed by over 15,000 people around the globe via Facebook Live.
Speaking the next day, Alison said the newly-weds had been “completely overwhelmed and blown away” by the kindness shown by Spotted in Ely’s followers, their friends and the local community, “The love and support has been amazing.”
Their wedding had been expedited, following the devastating news last month that Mark has terminal cancer.
The Dean of Ely, the Very Reverend Mark Bonney, had pulled out the stops to ensure a wedding could be held inside Ely Cathedral for a couple who had dedicated years of service to the city.
A drizzly afternoon did not dampen spirits, with socially distanced well wishers gathering outside to watch Alison arrive shortly before 3pm on Thursday, February 4th – coincidentally and poignantly, also World Cancer Day.
Accompanied by bridesmaids Annie-May and Summer, Mark’s daughters, and her friend Verity, Alison made her entrance to Richard Wagner’s Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin.
Mark said: “I caught a glimpse of Alison down the knave and I just melted at that point. Thankfully Les, my best man, had put a hankie in my pocket. When Alison reached me at the high altar, I could see how nervous she was, shaking like a leaf, so I took her hand and we both seemed a lot calmer. She looked stunning in her dress and that’s thanks to Zoie at Hearts Brides.”
Alison admitted feeling very emotional as she entered the cathedral.
“I was trying not to cry walking down the aisle, and Verity was saying calmly, ‘just breathe’ – but I was shaking when I got to Mark and I could tell he’d been crying – so much emotion. He took my hand and I instantly felt relieved.”
“Love is at the heart of what we’re about today”
Love was a recurring theme throughout the wedding ceremony, with The Very Reverend Mark Bonney saying that although attendees inside the cathedral were limited to “six or seven”, due to covid restrictions, there were thousands more attending virtually.
The Dean of Ely, who performed the ceremony, said love was often misinterpreted but that God’s love could not help but overflow and give.
“Today it’s that self giving, overflowing love that we celebrate. It’s a love that you both already know quite a good deal about. If you hadn’t already shown some of that overflowing love to one another and to others, there wouldn’t be so many people joining us virtually today or accidentally having their daily walk at the same time as you arrive and leave the cathedral. Although there are only a handful of us here in this wonderful place, a sign itself of a response of the love of God…there are lots more joining us out there and surrounding you both at this time with love, responding to your overflowing love with overflowing love in return.”
Before the couple made their vows and exchanged rings, the Dean said: “Alison and Mark, my prayer for you today is that that love will sustain and strengthen you now and in the time ahead.”
Speaking afterwards, Mark thanked the Dean for going above and beyond in arranging the special ceremony at such short notice – with no charge.
After his prognosis on January 12, the Dean was one of the first people Mark had reached out to. Mark said: “I needed someone to talk to that evening and Mark [Bonney] had always extended that helping hand. While talking to him I had said Alison had one wish. He knew instantly what that wish was and he and Cannon James Reveley just made it happen. Was it what we expected? No, it was much more and the meaning has really yet to sink in. We had never, ever imagined getting married there, so even to have the opportunity made it so much more special.”
Alison added: “I never imagined in a million years that we would get married in Ely Cathedral! It’s such an iconic building. It felt pretty amazing and like a fairytale you dream of as a child.”
Despite the traditional setting, the couple made the wedding very much their own, choosing their beloved pet Labrador, Ellie (a celebrity in her own right) as ring bearer.
James Billings was the photographer for the day, with former Mayor of Ely, Michael Rouse also photographing the ceremony.
Chasing Cars
One of the more unusual music choices at the wedding was an organ rendition of “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol. Mark explained that he and Alison had frequently heard the song covered by local rock bands and its lyrics had resonated with them.
He said: “I was really pleased that the organist Glen agreed to play it – and oh wow, did he play it! Austen, a friend of mine, messaged me later in the day and said, ‘Only you can get Ely Cathedral to play Chasing Cars on the organ!’ It made me laugh.”
Alison added: “I’ve always loved the song and when I first moved this way, back in 2015, I found the quote ‘If I lay here, if I just lay here, would you lie with me and just forget the world’ on a wooden board in a shop in Cambridge. It only cost me £5 but it sits in our bedroom so I read it every day.”
She recalled hearing local band Blue Thunder playing a cover of it in Wilburton,“It gave Mark and myself goosebumps, it was so amazing!”
Cannon James Reveley 
The Very Reverend Mark Bonney
The Appy Couple
They say you find love in the strangest of places – the couple first met about six years ago after Mark saw a request on an app, asking for help making a Facebook page for Alison’s cartoon character, Timothy Tortoise.
Alison said: “After he had created the page I just had to speak to him, so I rang him to thank him.”
They instantly clicked, and shortly after went to see Boyzone perform in Birmingham.
“Yes Boyzone,” Mark admits. “Not our first choice but was fun.”
The following month, they enjoyed a weekend in Alison’s hometown, watching a Six Nations rugby tournament between Wales and Italy.
Alison said: “I sent Mark a Timothy Tortoise Valentine’s card and that was it, we were an item.”
Mark actually proposed to Alison after she took part in a 5k Pretty Muddy Race for Life in Cardiff that July. The rest, as they say was history – apart from the minor issue of 200 or so miles separating Alison’s home near Abergavenny from Ely in Cambridgeshire.
This was resolved when Alison made the move to the Fens, getting a job as a teaching assistant at King’s Ely.
Spotting Ely for the first time
Alison recalls falling in love with the Isle of Eels during her first visit to the city, about six years ago.
“We ate cakes from Betty Marshmallow, walked around Ely seeing the sights and I loved seeing the big skies and ‘a thousand trees’ (Stereophonics song) at Barchams on the A142 and that view of Ely Cathedral as you drive over the hill at Stuntney is still my favourite!”
She remembers a romantic walk around Ely riverside and the country park, impressed that there was “so much wildlife so close to the city centre.”
Spotted in Ely
Alison first met Mark shortly after he had set up Spotted in Ely, a Facebook page aimed at uniting the local community. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength, and now has over 26,000 followers.
Spotted in Ely’s new radio station includes former BBC Radio Cambridgeshire folk legend, Sue Marchant.
As well as providing content for Spotted in Ely, Mark and Alison have helped livestream countless events for Ely Cathedral – so hosting their wedding in the iconic building was their way of saying thank you.
Last week Ely College launched the Mark Cooney Community Spirit Award to celebrate students’ contributions to the local community. Mark has been “blown away” by the kindness and love he has received since making his prognosis public last month.
Sharing their wedding via livestream had meant a lot to them both.
Mark said: “I’m just really pleased we could let people in on our special day. The numbers didn’t matter to me but yes, the viewing figures are unbelievable. And for those who braved the weather – a massive thank you, it was lovely to see you all.”
A blessing day is due to be held in Wales when covid travel restrictions are lifted.
A fundraising page has been set up by close friend Sally Bibby, to help the Cooneys make precious memories and assist with Mark’s cancer treatment.
Any extra money raised will go towards Spotted in Ely’s future costs. You can donate at: http://www.gofundme.com/f/help-mark-from-spotted-in-ely-to-make-memories
Written by Tali Iserles
Photo Credit James Billings Photography
You must be logged in to post a comment.