Alderman pops the question at firework display

They had often said they would like to travel to London for the New Year fireworks, but little did Julie Davis know that the tickets ‘Santa’ gave her were the first step in a much bigger plan...
Gary Middleton. INLS0114-122KMGary Middleton. INLS0114-122KM
Gary Middleton. INLS0114-122KM

For months devoted boyfriend Gary Middleton had been plotting a romantic trip to the British captial to pop the question with the first strike of Big Ben at midnight. He had even to ask for Julie’s hand from her father Cyril, who was sworn to secrecy about his future son-in-law’s plotting and planning.

Admitting that he was victim to a certain amount of nerves beforehand, Gary said he was delighted Julie accepted, and the couple have been on cloud nine since.

“Because we had said we wanted to go to London for New Years Eve for some time it did not raise any suspicions for her that we were actually going to London to get engaged,” said Gary.

“I had been planning this for a couple of months, of course I had to go and get the ring as well. I chose a white gold ring with a square cluster of diamonds. I chose it myself and thankfully Julie really likes it,” he said.

It was during the fire work display right after the first chime of the New Year rang out from Big Ben that Gary turned to Julie and said: ‘Happy New Year. I look forward to spending 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and beyond with you’.

“When Big Ben struck the first chime I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. Thankfully she said yes and then she got very emotional. The people around us were complete strangers but they were all congratulating us. It was lovely.”

Still reeling from excitement, Julie said: “I am just over the moon. I was not expecting Gary to ask me. I was just excited about getting to see the fireworks. We had a brilliant spot on the embankment close to Big Ben and just across from the London Eye, but we didn’t get to see very much of the firework display.

“I had no idea Gary was planning this at all. It was such a surprise,” she said.