AS THE country was plunged further into social isolation last weekend, in a bid to slow down the spread of coronavirus, there was fury as one of the area’s top wedding venues was seen to flout the rules.
Described by residents as "a nightmare", cars heading for a wedding reception at Froyle Park caused gridlock in Upper Froyle, angering residents trying to practice social distancing correctly.
According to Barry Riglar, not only did reception guests "take over" the area but they blocked the road and showed no regard for those living there: "Some folk, who are already self-isolating, had vital food deliveries turned away because drivers simply couldn’t get to them."
Primary school teacher Sharon Gray, who lives close to the wedding venue, was among those "shocked" by the behaviour of the guests and by the decision of the hotel not to cancel such a large gathering.
It is her view that Harbour Hotels put "money over the welfare of staff and guests" in permitting the wedding reception to go ahead - ignoring Friday’s diktat from the government to close all clubs, pubs, bars and restaurants as of that evening.
Mrs Gray, who is currently schooling the children of nurses who, she says, "are putting their lives on the line to care for those with coronavirus," was incensed over what she believes was the "lack of responsibility" displayed by Froyle Park.
Having contacted the hotel over their failure to heed government advice, she said: "I was told the wedding had to go ahead because how would I feel if my wedding was postponed at the last minute.
"My niece was due to get married this weekend but that has been called off because it was the sensible thing to do."
Having registered a complaint with East Hampshire District Council, which is being investigated, Mr Riglar feels that while it may not have been illegal, the decision to hold the reception was "morally wrong".
A spokesman for Froyle Park said: "At the time of the wedding the venue was compliant with government advice. Having announced heightened social distancing the day before, with just 12 hours until the wedding was due to proceed, there was no ruling on venues or hotels closing."
Having reduced the number of guests, there was no bar and tables were set to allow for social distancing. No guests stayed overnight.
The venue closed on Sunday, ahead of the official ruling which followed on Monday and is donating all surplus cleaning products and food to local care homes.