'Midnight wedding for witch couple', Manchester Evening News, 27 September 1962

Manchester Evening News, Thursday 27 September 1962, page 5. The paper's reporter is invited to witness the wedding of a High Priest and his Priestess, to be held in the nude 'by century-old rites' at a granite altar at Alderley Edge at midnight on the Festival of the Yule, early in 1963. At a midnight meeting Alex Sanders, 36, introduces his bride-to-be, the High Priestess Ardraea, who had travelled from her home in Nottingham. Ardraea gives her real name only as Pat and refuses to be photographed. She says she is the daughter of a minister, had a strict Christian upbringing, and that marrying Alex 'will mean a complete break with my family, but I have no regrets'. Ardraea, the paper explains, is the name of the pagan Goddess of Love and Laughter, which she had adopted. She was Pat Kopinski of Nottingham. How to cite: 'Midnight wedding for witch couple', Manchester Evening News, 27 September 1962, p. 5. Alexandrian Witchcraft Timeline & Archive.

Midnight wedding for witch couple Evening News Reporter I have been invited to witness what is said to be the most remarkable witchcraft ritual ever performed in this country - the wedding of a “High Priest” and his “Priestess.” They will be married in the nude by century-old rites at a massive granite “altar” at Alderley Edge Cheshire, early next year. And at midnight recently 36-year-old Alex Sanders, “High Priest” of Manchester’s coven of ten witches, introduced me to his blonde, bride-to-be, High Priestess Ardraea. NO REGRETS “We were destined to meet and marry” said Ardraea, who had travelled from her home in Nottingham for another midnight “ceremony.” Their fantastic moonlight wedding… will begin at midnight on their “Festival of the Yule.” But last night, Ardraea - her real name is Pat - refused to disclose her full identity or to be photographed. She did revealed: “I am the daughter of a minister. My family's name is well-known but I am not prepared to say what religion I was until after my marriage to Alex.” Ardraea - this is the name of their pagan Goddess of Love and Laughter which she has now adopted - went on: “I had a strict Christian upbringing on account of my father, but now I am converted to witchcraft. "When I marry Alex it will mean a complete break with my family, but I have no regrets." Ardraea said she did not have a job but travelled the country visiting friends. “My father provides me with money," she said. "When my parents learn the truth about my new life they will be very shocked and there is bound to be some embarrassment for them, but it can't be avoided.”