BOG WILL YOU MARRY ME? *HEART* WHIP X
February 14th, 2005 by rui
There were few who didn’t feel their romantic nerves tingle when, at Eastnor 2004, an old plane flew overhead with a cryptic banner saying "Bog will you marry me ? *Heart* Whip x". Some might even have witnessed the tears as, soon after, a boy and a girl were openly weeping, hugging and kissing. Never one to be able to turn down a heartwarming story – and just in time for Valentine’s Day too! – Susanna Glaser caught up with the by now infamous couple Louise (Bog) and Ian (Whip), who are holding their wedding at Eastnor Castle in July.
How did you two first meet?
Louise: I visited an old friend (Mary) in Worcester (who was at uni at the time) and she happened to share a house with Ian. On July 15th 1995 we all went to a rave in a quarry in North Wales and after nearly killing me, by allowing me to walk to the end of a very narrow rock piece, with a sheer drop either side, we got together and I’ve never looked back… I then moved from South Wales to Worcester to be with Ian.
How did you hear about Tne Big Chill?
Louise: Ian’s brother Sam went in 1999 (Which I think was the Enchanted Garden) and said what a great festival it was and so we went the following year (again at the Enchanted Garden) and have been every year since, we both love the Big Chill, due to its chilled out vibe and fantastic atmosphere and an added bonus is the fact that it’s only a 20 minute drive from our house in Worcester and Lulworth Castle is only a 20 minute drive from Ian’s parents caravan…
What gave you the idea for the banner?
Ian: The Big Chill has become one of our favourite festivals and as it was also Louise’s birthday, it seemed appropriate. Saved me thinking of a present too.. ahem!
It wasn’t difficult to organise. The company I found on the internet made it all very easy. I was just so worried that neither of us would see the plane on the day. I knew roughly what time it would be going over but didn’t want to give the game away by insisting we were sat on the top of a very big hill. So in the end I got very nervous, incredibly drunk and just let the day unfold, until 3pm when were sat by one of the main stages and I saw the plane over Louise’s shoulder! I wasn’t too worried she’d say no, the worst bit was keeping it a secret from everyone.
Lousie, was it a surprise?
Louise: I had no idea whatsoever, it was my 29th birthday and we’d all had a few to drink, so when he pointed to the sky, I turned to see what he was pointing at, and thought that the banner said ‘Big Chill 2004…’ or something like that, as the only letter I could make out was the ‘B’ and I kinda made the rest up. However when I turned back around, he was on one knee with a ring in hand… Only then did the penny drop.
And from that moment there were lots of tears and snot! I must have looked so good… Then we had most of the field come and congratulate us, may of whom were in tears with us, which was very sweet, we all cried in unison…
Why ‘Bog’? Why ‘Whip’? Or are we getting too personal here?
Louise: When I was 16 I started college (with my friend Mary, as above. She has a lot to answer for!) and she thought of: Louise = Loo = Toilet = Bog… and here I am 13 years later and it’s still stuck.
Ian: She (Mary) also falls responsible for coming up with Whip, short for Whippet, for me. Something to do with my slender physique…
Now you’re going to get married at Eastnor! Tell us about your plans…
Louise: Having had the proposal at the Big Chill, within Eastnor Castle grounds, we thought we’d take a look at the venue. Once we’d seen it we were smitten and there were no other choices. We’ve chosen our date of July 15th 2006 as this will be our 11th anniversary together and the venue, well it had to be there really didn’t it!!
Why do you think love blossoms at The big Chill?
Louise: it’s such a relaxed atmosphere and everyone is always in a fantastic mood and what with all your lovers’ corners like in the Art Trail, where better to start a relationship or to grow the one your already in…
Altogether now… Ahhhhh!
