Couple visit St Catherine’s Park in memory of beloved father, as gardens provide backdrop for wedding photos

A couple have revisited the poignant grounds of St Catherine’s Hospice to remember a beloved father as they prepare to celebrate their wedding day.

Paul Gaskell’s dad, John, from Ashton, was admitted to the Lostock Hall hospice on Monday, June 27, after being diagnosed with incurable cancer.

He died that Friday and Paul and his fiancée Jessica Benson have praised the care provided by St Catherine’s staff and volunteers.

And last week, they returned to the hospice to reflect and remember John, as well as mark a special milestone in their lives.

They used the beautiful grounds of St Catherine’s Park as a sentimental backdrop for some poignant pre-wedding photographs, including around the stunning pergola and sensory garden.

Mum-of-two Jessica, a nail technician from Preston, explained: “We’re getting married next month and our photographers, Little Moment Photography, offered us a pre-wedding photoshoot in the place of our choice. They suggested a park or the beach, but we knew where we wanted to go.

“I’ve been to St Catherine’s quite a few times because my grandma, Linda Coulson, has been a volunteer there for 10 years. Then when John was referred to the hospice, we visited more often.

“We just think the grounds are so lovely, and it’s a very welcoming and peaceful place.

“We couldn’t thank the staff and volunteers enough for the support they gave John and the family, and Paul felt it was a very special place and an ideal setting to get the photos done.”

Jessica, 24, added: “St Catherine’s is also a place where we can go now to remember John. It brings back nice memories.

“He was a navy man and his ashes are scattered at sea, so it’s nice that we’ve got somewhere so lovely to go and remember him, and now we have these beautiful photographs too.”

Jessica and Paul, a dad-of-one, will tie the knot at St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Ribbleton, on August 6, followed by a reception at Greenlands New Labour Club, Preston.

Lucy Paterson, from Little Moment Photography, based in Preston, said: “We were honoured to share some time with Jess and Paul in the very sentimental grounds of St Catherine’s Hospice. It was lovely to capture some great shots in the beautiful gardens and on the bridge overlooking the river.

“They told us how they had spent many days taking long walks round the gardens, chatting and making memories that they will keep forever.”

Chief executive of St Catherine’s Hospice, Stephen Greenhalgh, said: “By opening our grounds to the public, we are inviting families to enjoy this award-winning setting whenever they wish.

“We are delighted that more and more people are coming to enjoy St Catherine’s Park that includes access to South Ribble Council’s magnificent World War One Memorial, The Mill café, Rotary footbridge, pergola and sensory garden. This is reassuring to patients because it helps take away feelings of isolation that can sometimes be felt during serious illness.

“It’s really heart-warming to hear that Jessica and Paul feel so connected to the hospice that they chose to have their pre-wedding photographs taken here. For me, this is what St Catherine’s is all about. We are here for local people to be with them when it matters most and to celebrate and remember special lives.”

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