Send pictures to us
Send us your pictures and video by text, email or by uploading. Click here to find out how. »
|
|
|
|
Hillary Clinton to the rescue of Valentine's Day couple
9:00am Thursday 7th February 2008
A HAMPSHIRE man's dream Valentine's Day wedding has been saved - thanks to US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Winchester romantic Tim Randall and his American girlfriend Whitney Edwards won a competition to be married at the top of New York's Empire State Building, but the wedding was threatened as Tim struggled to get a visa in time.
“Whatever she (Hillary) did, she opened the doors for Tim. Now he can have his dream wedding.”
Noreen Randall
With no help available on Tim's side of the pond, Whitney took their fight to the top - and to the rescue came Mrs Clinton who took time out from campaiging to become the Democratic party presidential candidate and "opened the doors" for Tim.
The pair will now go ahead with their sky-high nuptials on Valentine's Day.
Tim, 25, who grew up in Winchester and studied at Henry Beaufort School, started his transatlantic romance with Whitney, 24, when they met while studying at university in London.
Their wedding was planned for July this year - but was rocketed forward when Whitney won a competition in US bridal magazine Brides.com.
Tim's mother Noreen Randall said: "Just before Christmas, Whitney entered a competition to win a wedding at the top of the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day.
"Amazingly, she and Tim were one of 14 couples who won the top prize.
"That was just amazing news.
"Whitney had taken Tim to the Empire State Building on his first trip to the States and they both thought it was the most romantic place they had ever been."
However, the couple hit problems when they tried to quickly arrange a green card for Tim so he could move to the US.
Mrs Randall, of Mews Lane, Winchester, added: "Tim wasn't expecting to move out until July, so there was a real rush to get things sorted in time.
"We went to our local MP in Winchester, but he couldn't help.
"Tim was getting desperate, so Whitney tried to help from her end. She knew someone who knew someone who knew Hillary Clinton, so they went to her for help.
"Whatever she did, she opened the doors for Tim. Now he can have his dream wedding."
Tim and Whitney will tie the knot at 8.30am on Valentine's Day in a luxury ceremony paid for by Brides.com.
Your Say YourEcho
Six degrees of separation, says...
9:10am Thu 7 Feb 08
hmm wrote:More likely Brides.com had a word with a friend of a friend of a friend.
Is there any explanation of what Hillary Clinton actually did?
More advertising pretending to be news.
A visa isn't required to actually get married there.
Libertarian, Winchester says...
9:11am Thu 7 Feb 08
Redfield, Winchester says...
9:22am Thu 7 Feb 08
That's the reason she was asked to intervene. Having recently visited NY and been up the Empire State building it should be a wonderful day for them - providing it isn't too windy and it's a clear day. Good on them!!
Adrian Smith, says...
9:23am Thu 7 Feb 08
Libertarian wrote:Their choices are even worse than we get here - but Obama - no thank you.
Obama for president
McCain would have to get my vote.
Yum Yum, The Oven Door says...
10:09am Thu 7 Feb 08
Adrian Smith wrote:Plus Mr McCain does lovely oven chips!
Libertarian wrote: Obama for presidentTheir choices are even worse than we get here - but Obama - no thank you. McCain would have to get my vote.
Stu-Pid, Romsey says...
10:16am Thu 7 Feb 08
Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
10:16am Thu 7 Feb 08
Adrian Smith wrote:John Edwards was the best candidate....BUT...
Libertarian wrote: Obama for presidentTheir choices are even worse than we get here - but Obama - no thank you. McCain would have to get my vote.
Obama? Does this world really need another Tony Blair?
Stede le Stupide, Southampton says...
2:04pm Thu 7 Feb 08
One Dollar wrote:The fact that you didn't know Aunt Bessie made chips suggests you have never tried them. So how can you judge which chips are the best? You need to take a trip to Fresco's...
Blimey I didn\'t know Aunt Bessie did chips, thought she only did yorkshire puds .... must admit I do prefer McCains though.
One Dollar, Iceland says...
2:18pm Thu 7 Feb 08
Stede le Stupide wrote:Ah ha, found me out, I haven't tried them but I know which chips are the best and they are definitely (or should I spell that d-e-f-i-n-a-t-e-l-y as do most people on here)McCains
One Dollar wrote: Blimey I didn\\\'t know Aunt Bessie did chips, thought she only did yorkshire puds .... must admit I do prefer McCains though.The fact that you didn\'t know Aunt Bessie made chips suggests you have never tried them. So how can you judge which chips are the best? You need to take a trip to Fresco\'s...
Eartha mcguinness, down the pub says...
5:13pm Thu 7 Feb 08
Dont get out much then do they
Laura, Southampton says...
9:29pm Thu 7 Feb 08
Amazed, Here says...
10:34pm Thu 7 Feb 08
Get it right, Hants says...
11:09pm Thu 7 Feb 08
Six degrees of separation wrote:You don't need a visa to get married there, but unless you have a passport with an e-chip you still need a visa to enter the USA for stays of less than 90 days.
hmm wrote: Is there any explanation of what Hillary Clinton actually did?More likely Brides.com had a word with a friend of a friend of a friend. More advertising pretending to be news. A visa isn't required to actually get married there.
If Tim or anyone else is planning to stay for more than 90 days, a visa is always required whether you have an e-chip passport or not.
As Tim is 25, I'm guessing his passport was issued when he was 16 and wouldn't have the e-chip in it. So, yes, he would need to obtain a visa
Away With, The Fairies says...
12:38am Fri 8 Feb 08
David Mutton, UK says...
10:15pm Wed 13 Feb 08
BuckyBob, USA says...
3:53am Fri 25 Apr 08
Your sayYourEcho
Add your comment
Register for a FREE Daily Echo account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
Hillary Clinton
In this section
- Tenth floor death plunge of elderly man was suicide
- ‘We couldn’t afford to fight on for our Winchester pub’
- The Daily Echo backed Southampton Voluntary Services Christmas Toy Appeal
- Organic farm is in jeopardy
- FOSSI the bear joins campaign for a playground
- Totton teachers return to school with apples
- Santa’s flying visit to Stockbridge
- Over 1,300 complaints lodged about Christmas blunderland
- Hampshire man guilty of schoolgirl murder
- Body found in lorry on Hampshire motorway
Sponsored Links
|
|
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
hmm, says...
9:02am Thu 7 Feb 08