Bride becomes SIXTH generation of her family to marry in beautiful Yorkshire church built 150 years

A blushing bride has become the sixth generation of her family to marry in the church built by her great, great, great grandfather.

Liz Ellis, 29, tied the knot with partner of four years, David Hawksworth, 31, at St. John's in Baildon, West Yorkshire.

The church was built by Liz's ancestor John Ellis in 1848, and has played host to countless family christenings, weddings and funerals, including the marriage of Liz's own parents William and Sarah Ellis in 1982.

Liz said: 'When Dave proposed, it was never even a question of where I'd get married.'

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'I wouldn't have considered anywhere else. It's a beautiful church, it's something the whole family is very proud of.

'Even my mum's side of the family have got married there. It's not really something we've talked about it is just something we do.'

Businessman David added: 'The last few weddings I've been to have been Liz's cousins and they were there. Its great to be part of that family tradition.'

However it is not just the church that has remained in the family for generations, as Liz is also the sixth generation to run the Ellis clan's construction firm, William Ellis and Sons.

Liz said: 'It is a real family business that is still going 150 years later. We date the company from when the church was built, but believe the firm has been going for more than 200 years.'

After Liz left school she began working as a purchaser, but when she reached 22 she decided she'd had enough of the world of retail.

She said: 'I wanted to change jobs and I said to my dad, "why don't I come and work for you", and he thought about it and gave it a go.

'I didn't start out ordering people around, but by the time he came to retiring I was in a position to take over.

'People joke that it should be called William Ellis and Daughter now.'

But Liz isn't just the firm's manager, she also is a hands-on boss having returned to college to learn the skills of the trade.

She said: 'I learnt how to do all the jobs, from brick laying to joinery. One of my main jobs is driving the digger.

'I never get to have nice nails because I'm on the ground a lot, but we had them done for the wedding.'

Following the wedding ceremony in the family church, Liz and David held their reception at Intake Side Farm in Hawksworth, West Yorkshire.

Liz said: 'I always wanted a marquee because it was different to the standard hotel reception.

'It was really nice of the farm to let us have it as it is the perfect location looking out onto the fields, with views of Bradford one way and Leeds the other.'

Vicar at St John's church, Reverend Sandra Benham, said: 'Every wedding is special, but it is rare to have such a historic family connection.'

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