More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A bride was forced to shield her dress from an on-coming dust cloud after a castle gatehouse began to crumble in front of her eyes.
Emma Wiseman had been posing for photographs in front of Cooling Castle, near Rochester, only moments before the parts of the gatehouse began to fall off.
She married her partner of four years, David, at Cooling Castle Barn, which is in the grounds of the castle where Jools Holland lives in a farmhouse on Tuesday, July 30.
She said: "We were stood there a few moments before having photos, then we moved indoors and came back outside where we had more photos done.
"We heard a crash, there was a huge dust cloud and it hit me and the best man.
"We were trying to protect the dress. It settled and I had a bit in my eye.
"The dress was fine. The staff were amazing; they rushed out and made sure everyone was okay.
"They had someone out there monitoring it as the guests arrived for the evening."
"The guests were in shock, they couldn't see it down the driveway. It was very unexpected and quite shocking but I was pleased with the venue staff."
The legal secretary and her new husband, from Bells Lane, Hoo, enjoyed their evening regardless alongside their 85 guests.
Jools Holland and his wife Christabel have lived in a farmhouse at the castle since 2002, having become its custodians in 1999.
Last year, the musician was locked in a row with the wedding reception venue over issues with noise and anti-social behaviour.
The couple staged their own wedding in the village church, St James', in 2005.
Director of Cooling Castle Barn Rebecca Collins told KentOnline's sister publication the Medway Messenger that following the incident, they got in contact with Historic England to seek their advice.
A statement from Historic England said the organisation was alerted to the damage to Cooling Castle gatehouse on Tuesday.
It continued: "We are relieved that no one was hurt and pleased that the owner has acted quickly to assess the situation and to seek our advice about next steps.
"A close-up inspection of the gatehouse is planned for next week, which a Historic England architect will attend and advise on.
"After this we will all be in a better position to know what needs to happen next in order to repair the gatehouse and return it to its impressive complete appearance."
