Ramsey’s Mooragh Park provided the setting for a marriage proposal by a former resident of the town.

Maxim Vida, now living in Southport, chose to propose to Valerie Jerram in the park where, earlier in the day, he had set up posters posing the question ‘Will You Marry Me?’

Mr Vida, who has an antiques restoration business on the outskirts of Harrogate, said: ‘Valerie had absolutely no idea about this. We went for a walk and only when she saw the first of my three posters did the penny start to drop.’

Two more posters and a proposal on bended knee later and the couple were engaged.

‘I'm an ex-Dalmeny [childrens’ home] boy and have very happy memories of Ramsey, especially Mooragh Park, where I spent much of my youth, playing football for Ramsey, tennis and generally having a great time. I also used to be the drummer in a band called Image and still have friends in the Island so Ramsey’s very much a second home to me.

 ‘The park’s looking more beautiful than ever and Ramsey Town Commissioners were tremendously cooperative in helping me with my surprise, especially Gemma Kelly, so a big thank you to her, to deputy chairman Steven Bevan for presenting us with a bottle of celebratory fizz and every one at the town hall.

‘We’ve come to this late in life - I’m 65 and Valerie’s 59 – and, as yet, we haven’t set a date for the wedding, or decided on where it’ll be. It might even be in the Isle of Man, who knows?’

Photo - Ramsey Town Commissioners’ deputy chairman Steven Bevan presents Maxim Vida and Valerie Jerram with a gift to celebrate their engagement.