Police in Wales bust illegal wedding reception in ‘abandoned barn’ and fine eight Covid flouters

Police in Wales bust illegal wedding reception in ‘abandoned barn’ and fine eight Covid flouters after pictures of party were shared on Snapchat

  • Eight people were fined at the party in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, on Saturday 
  • One image appears to show several more guests enjoying the celebrations
  • A number of images of party were shared publicly on Facebook and Snapchat

A couple who shared photos of their illegal wedding party at a barn in South Wales online were busted after police turned up at the event. 

Eight people received fines after police received reports that the party was being held at a barn in Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday evening, breaching coronavirus restrictions.

A number of images of the party were shared publicly on Facebook and Snapchat. The married couple declined to comment.

South Wales Police said there were eight people present but one image appears to show several more guests enjoying the celebrations in the Heolgerrig area.

Bunting saying ‘just married’ can be seen hanging from the roof, alongside an electric heater, a number of chairs and balloons. 

Eight people received fines after police received reports that the party was being held at a barn in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, breaching coronavirus restrictions

Despite the Welsh Government lifting the ban on travel in Wales from Saturday, meaning an end to the ‘stay local’ rule, people are still prohibited from gathering indoors with people from other households.

Covid restrictions on weddings in the UK 

In England wedding ceremonies for up to 15 people will be able to take place inside from April 12, when the lockdown easing takes effect. 

From that date wedding receptions can also resume but must take place outdoors. They cannot take place in private gardens and should only take place in a Covid-secure venue.  

As of March 29 up to six people are allowed to attend weddings, after months when ceremonies were only permitted in ‘exceptional’ circumstances.

The attendance figure is set to rise to 30 from May before all limits are removed the following month.

In Wales, as of March 29, wedding ceremonies can take place at licensed venues, but receptions remain banned.

Six people from two households are permitted to meet outside.

In Scotland the limit on wedding guests at ceremonies and receptions is expected to be raised to 50 people from 26 April – however no alcohol will be permitted.

Currently only five people, including the couple and officials, are allowed to attend a ceremony. 

As is the same in England, up to six people from two different households can meet and exercise outdoors. 

It is unclear how many people attended the event in the Heolgerrig area but police handed out fines to eight people when they arrived.

In February the Welsh Government allowed licensed wedding venues, such as visitor attractions and hotels, to re-open but only to perform wedding and civil partnership ceremonies.

Wedding receptions or other social gatherings after the ceremony remain banned.

The number of people who can attend ceremonies depends on the size of the venue and its ability to allow people from different households to observe social distancing.

The Welsh Government guidance states: ‘Many people will want to celebrate the occasion with a reception or other forms of social gatherings with friends and family. In alert level four receptions are prohibited.’

One person, who did not attend the event but knew others that were invited, said on Sunday: ‘There was a secret wedding gathering on private land in an abandoned barn.

‘Police arrived at the scene and guests were seen walking away from the event. I know people who were invited to the event and it was public for everyone to see on Snapchat maps.’

A spokesman for South Wales Police said: ‘At around 5.20pm on Saturday evening officers attended an address in the Heolgerrig area of Merthyr Tydfil following a report of a gathering in breach of Welsh Government Covid regulations.

‘Upon attendance fixed penalty notices were issued to all present (eight) and they were advised to vacate the premises.’  

In England wedding ceremonies for up to 15 people will be able to take place inside from April 12, when the lockdown easing takes effect. 

From that date wedding receptions can also resume but must take place outdoors. They cannot take place in private gardens and should only take place in a Covid-secure venue.