Congratulations to Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice on his engagement to journalist Isabel Oakeshott.
Tice proposed over a glass of mulled wine whilst sitting on a bar stool in the Royal Oak, Ramsden in Oxfordshire.
It could be the tradition of proposing aboard a bar stool originated in North Herefordshire. Years ago in the Trumpet – waiting for a table – a chap sitting next to me answered his phone.
‘Where am I?’ He said with a nervous grin. ‘Why, I’m sat in the Trumpet waiting for you, m’dear.’
Then he winced and held the phone out from his ear. The barman grinned. The call ended. Rather forlorn, the guy looked at a microscopic box he had in his hands before him. Then he snapped it shut.
I thought no more about the incident until later that evening coming back through the bar I saw the young couple in earnest conversation. Catching the barman’s eye I raised an eyebrow and touched my left-hand short finger.
‘Yes it was an engagement ring you saw,’ he said. We both looked over at the couple, smiling now. ‘I think we have a go,’ he added.
From North Herefordshire best wishes to Isabel and Richard.
