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‘Camper van of love’ gets Coedpoeth woman to church on time

http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/124297/-camper-van-of-love-gets-coedpoeth-woman-to-church-on-time.aspx

A BRIDE used her late father’s camper van to get her to the church on time.

While some brides dream of a posh car or a horse drawn carriage, Amie Tekeian-Gash, from Coedpoeth, wanted a ‘camper van of love’ which has been in the family for 25 years, doing thousands of miles.

Meroojan Tekeian bought the blue Volkswagen in 1988 and took the family on holidays all over Europe including Spain, St Tropez, Berlin and Vienna, never once breaking down.

Mr Tekeian died five years ago but there was still a part of him at his daughter’s wedding thanks to his van, which the family always called ‘The Tecko Van’.

Travelling in the van, Amie arrived in time to marry the love of her life, self-employed builder Chris Gash, 42.

Amie, 27, said: “Dad used to turn up to school to pick us up in the van and I used to be so embarrassed.

“Now I have ended up using it as my wedding car.

“I even said to Chris that if the van breaks down on the way to the wedding then it’s a sign my dad doesn’t want me to marry him.” But true to its form, The Tecko Van got the bride to St Giles’ Parish Church on time and to the reception at Chester Racecourse.

“I felt like my dad was taking me to my wedding and there was a piece of him there,” said Amie, who is originally from the Rhosddu area.

When Mr Tekeian died he was in the process of changing the van’s engine.

But dental nurse Amie, who works in Ruabon, was not going to let the camper van fall into ruin and decided to spend about £5,000 on the van, getting it all done up for her wedding, and passed on her idea to Simon Edwards from Body Perfect garage, Rhosrobin, who carried out the work.

She said: “Everyone around Wrexham knows the van and it is very well known.

“My dad used to own Tekeian’s off licence on Rhosddu Road and everyone knew him and the van.

“Now we are are going to pimp it out on the inside and take it to the VW camper van shows.

“We will never sell it because dad loved it and it was his pride and joy.”

VWT2OC members become famous!!

Check out who’s made it on to the AA’s wb site.

http://www.theaamagazine.com/end-of-the-line.php

DAISY, DAISY

Christie and Derek Leary

Christie and Derek Leary bought their Type 2 Camper  – aka ‘Daisy’ – in 1979. One of the last of its kind, it served the Learys well as transport during their careers as musicians and entertainers.

“We used to unload our gear into the theatre, do the show, leave the equipment in the theatre overnight and sleep in the car park,” explained Christie. “In the morning, we’d load the stuff up and drive off to the next gig.”

With the showbiz world now behind them, the Learys use Daisy strictly for pleasure. “We’ve been north, south, east and west – all over Britain in it,” Christie told us. “We’ve camped anywhere and everywhere: in Scotland with icicles, on Cornish beaches, Welsh mountains, everywhere.”

The Learys might be retired, but Daisy ensures that their lives continue to be active.

 

 

FESTIVAL FEVER

BOB & MAGGIE WARD

Music fans Bob and Maggie Ward bought their 1974 Westfalia Continental conversion 14 years ago to travel to music festivals. As a right-hand-drive model it’s something of a rarity. “We got fed up of sleeping in ditches and thought we deserved something better,” Bob told us.

A veteran of numerous Glastonburys and other events, the Wards’ Camper has earned its stripes. “It’s a lovely old van – even when it was in danger of getting stuck in muddy fields. There was one festival when it didn’t look like we were getting out, but by sheer determination I managed it. Thirty minutes later, other Campers were having to be dragged out by tractors.”

The torch has been handed down to a new generation, in the form of the Ward’s daughter, Jayne. Bob reckons it’s the only thing he’s ever bought that has increased in value – which should make it an heirloom to be treasured.

Get chippy with it

Ken Brimson

Ken Brimson has a unique Type 2 Camper – unique because, as a carpenter, he was able to build all the internal units himself.

He bought the 1968 model from a specialist restorer 14 years ago, but had a very specific idea of how he wanted the interior laid out. So he asked for just the repairs to the mechanical parts and bodywork to be completed.

“I drove it home with just a driver’s seat, then spent six months working on it, even taking the roof off to fit all the units I wanted,” he told us. “Unfortunately, the seller then died, which meant I had no warranty. When the clutch started to slip, one thing led to another and I had to spend about £1,500 getting it fixed.”

Since then, however, Nelly – named after the first three letters of the registration – has proven reliable transport, especially as Ken keeps her tucked up in the winter.