'Witches Wed, Plan Public Appearance', Stockton Evening and Sunday Record, 8 December 1965

Stockton Evening and Sunday Record, California, Wednesday 8 December 1965, page 22. The Associated Press wire report of the witches' wedding, the fullest of the overseas accounts. Paul King, 22, a coven member, officiated at the home of another witch; Maxine wore a white silk robe and nothing else; two hooded witches bound the couple's arms and King made the cuts to mix their blood. Sanders, high priest of three covens in Manchester and North Cheshire, tells reporters the ceremonies are performed naked 'but there are no orgies'. The couple planned to appear together at a full moon service at Alderley Edge that evening. Witches, they explained, do not have honeymoons. How to cite: 'Witches Wed, Plan Public Appearance', Stockton Evening and Sunday Record, 8 December 1965, p. 22. Alexandrian Witchcraft Timeline & Archive.

WITCHES WED, PLAN PUBLIC APPEARANCE MANCHESTER, England, Dec. 8 (AP) - Beneath tonight's full moon, the principals in what they claim is Britain's first witch wedding in 200 years expect to make a public appearance as man and wife. They are: Pretty Maxine Morris, blonde and 18, who proudly calls herself a witch. Alexander Sanders, 39, the high priest of three covens, which are assemblies of witches. Insisting that he's a witch - not a warlock - Sanders said that in old England witch meant either a male or female. With Paul King, 22, a coven member, officiating, Maxine and Sanders were married yesterday at the home of another witch. VERY WITCHY It was a very witchy wedding. Maxine wore a… figure-clinging white silk robe - and said that was all. Incense burned as the couple stepped into a white rope circle surrounded by gleaming black candles. They knelt before an altar in the living room. A pair of witches in hooded robes bound Maxine’s and Alexander’s arms together. King made small cuts in their arms - to mix their blood. After that the bridegroom slipped a ring on the bride's finger. They were then toasted in red wine. Sanders said the witchcraft ceremony “is the oldest wedding ceremony in the world - far older than any church wedding.” PERFORM NAKED Asked about his witch activities, Sanders told reporters: “Our covens operate in Manchester and North Cheshire. We perform all our ceremonies - when weather permits - naked, but there are no orgies.” Maxine told newsmen: “We are very much in love. We don't need any additional blessing, but if we have a child we shall probably have a registrar (civil) ceremony for the sake of our child.” They said they hoped to appear together at a full moon service this evening in nearby Alderley Edge, a wooded area where the Romans used to worship. Witches, they explained, don't have honeymoons.