A ROMANTIC scuba-diving couple from Lymm are “taking the plunge” again to mark their first wedding anniversary.
Jamie Heptonstall popped the question to his wife, Sophie, using sign language 60 feet underwater.
Now the couple have come up with the perfect way to mark their anniversary. They will spend the day submerged in the vast waters of Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands.
The couple, who met through their membership of the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), will dive among the huge number of wrecks that litter one of the world’s finest but most remote natural harbours.
Jamie, 34, said: “We’ve been friends for quite a long time and after we both became single our relationship blossomed.
“I actually proposed under water, in Capenwray Quarry, near Lancaster. I didn’t have a ring because it was a spur of the moment thing.”
Jamie, who works for construction company Bomer and Kirkland, and Sophie, 31, a marketing manager, are both qualified diving instructors. Sophie is also a volunteer board member of BSAC which is based at Ellesmere Port.
Jamie said: “Our garage is literally crammed with diving equipment – we’ve had to decide whether two people really need 27 air cylinders. We both prepared for our national diving instructor exam together and that was part of our wedding planning.”
The wedding took place on “dry land” in Knutsford and was conventional – apart from the “best man” being a woman!
Jamie said: “There is definitely something about diving that seems to lead to romance because the number of people we know who have got together through the sport is amazing.
“It does bring people together. You have to get up at six in the morning and push a boat out so we are very motivated and focused people and we’re all driven by this same passion for their sport.”
Jamie and Sophie have been active in charity work through their diving and instead of wedding presents they asked for donations to the RNLI and Cancer Research and raised more than £4,000.
Picture: Sophie and Jamie Heptonstall, surrounded by their diving gear
Romance in the deep
00 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
