Mayor seeks past owner of wedding dress

WELLS Mayor Councillor Tanys Pullin has set her heart on finding the previous owner of a wedding dress that she bought for her Mayor’s New Clothes project after it was donated to a charity shop.

The project involves transforming used wedding dresses into beautiful ballgowns which will eventually be auctioned in aid of the Mayor’s chosen charities, Heads Up and Whizz-Kidz.

Cllr Pullin bought the dress –and two others, to help get the project going – at the Sue Ryder shop in Shepton Mallet. The shop, which has a special bridal department, raises money to help support people through difficult times in their lives such as a terminal illness or the death of someone close to them.

“I was told that the lady donated it because she loved her husband so much and after his death she wanted to give her dress to Sue Ryder to help other people to get over their grief,” said Cllr Pullin.

“She begged shop staff to get as much as she could for her beautiful gown. I was so touched by this story I gave nearly £300 for the dress.”

Dozens of groups and individuals are working on transforming wedding dresses into ballgowns for the project, and a number of sponsorships and donations have already been made. The finished dresses will feature at a fashion show in the Cathedral in the new year, and be auctioned off at an event in the Town Hall.

“So many people are being so kind,” said Cllr Pullin.

There is still time to get involved. Contact Cllr Pullin by emailing T.pullin@wells.gov.uk or calling 07976 756108.