James Barrow and Lucy Taylor-Smith

Two of Shropshire’s political dynasties will become one big family this weekend when the children of four councillors get married.

James Barrow and Lucy Taylor-Smith whose parents, Joyce and Keith Barrow and Martin and Rosanna Taylor-Smith are all Conservative unitary councillors, are to tie the knot at St Laurence’s Church, in Ludlow, this Saturday. Lucy and James met at a dance at Ludlow Town Football Club.

Their wedding and reception will take place in Ludlow’s two main landmarks – St Laurence’s and Ludlow Castle.

The groom proposed to the bride-to-be on her birthday, April 12, last year.

Keith Barrow was recently chosen as leader of the Tory administration on the new Shropshire Council and Joyce Barrow is the vice chairman of the children and young people’s services scrutiny committee. Both are councillors for the Oswestry area.

Keith and Joyce Barrow

The Taylor-Smiths represent Ludlow North and Ludlow South. Mr Taylor-Smith is a cabinet member and Rosanna Taylor-Smith is chairman of the strategic licensing committee.

The wedding also has historical significance. Lucy’s father is also Ludlow Town Mayor and his daughter’s wedding at St Laurence’s will be the first wedding of a mayor’s daughter there since 1988.

The wedding will be in the afternoon at St Laurence’s and the procession to the reception in Ludlow Castle will be led by the Ludlow Town mace-bearers.

The last mayor of Ludlow to see his daughter married in St Laurence’s Church was Dr David Lloyd MBE who died on May 17 this year.

Mr Taylor-Smith said Dr Lloyd, Ludlow’s town historian, had only told him about the historical details the day before he died.

Martin and Rosanna Taylor-Smith

The newlyweds plan to live in Sevenoaks, Kent, to be near their places of work.

And the couple may well go into politics themselves.

Mr Taylor Smith said: “James has been a Conservative election agent so I suspect he may end up as a candidate. My eldest daughter Emma was an MEP candidate in the European elections and all my children are used in canvassing.”

Lucy said she may consider standing as a candidate. She said: “Two of my uncles are councillors, my sister has been one, it obviously runs in my family.

“I’ve been asked if I was interested in standing, but maybe after the wedding when there’s a bit more time.”

By Hannah Costigan