Lovespoon gift gets a Personal Thank You From Elton And David

>Pop superstar Sir Elton John, and his partner, David Furnish, have sent a heartfelt ‘thank-you’ to a Llangollen man who gave them a special Welsh lovespoon designed for gay couples.
The celebrity couple, who recently tied the knot in a civil partnership ceremony after 11 years together, were so touched to receive the gift sent a handwritten thank you card, signed by both of them, to Christopher Smith.
Mr Smith, who sent the unique gift, inscribed with their names and the date of their union, produces the lovespoons through his company, Pinc Products Ltd.
The news the glamorous showbiz couple have one has created a huge demand from other gay and lesbian partners.
Sir Elton wrote: “Thank you so much for the lovespoon you sent us. How kind of you and how thoughtful. We wish you many years of happiness too.”
An astonished, but delighted Christopher said: “When I sent the lovespoon to Elton and David, I never ever imagined I would get a personal reply, not in a million years. I was very touched they went to the trouble.
“It’s remarkable, but I think he appreciated it was something a bit different to the other gifts he had.
“The couple obviously received thousands of wedding presents, but this was handmade in Wales – so it’s unique and very special.
“The reaction generally to the lovespoons has been extremely favourable. I don’t think people realised this could be done to a lovespoon – to make it unique to gay people.”
The custom of carving and giving Welsh lovespoons dates back to the 17th Century, when they were made by young men as a token of their love and affection for their girlfriends.
The evolution of the lovespoon was inspired by the fascinating story of the “Ladies of Llangollen”, who are revered as gay icons.
Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby were two aristocratic women of Anglo-Irish descent who scandalised contemporary society when, in 1778, they eloped, and set up home at Plas Newydd, Llangollen.
They were regarded as eccentric and the exact nature of their close relationship became a talking point for many years to come.
As well as working on their house and garden, the ladies spent their time in reading, studying foreign languages and corresponding with a wide variety of people.
Many of these were well-known figures of the day who often came to visit the ladies, among them Wordsworth and the Duke of Wellington.
Christopher has protected the design, which features two entwined gender symbols to denote the different versions, by getting it officially registered.
He added: “Now that people have started to hear about Sir Elton John and David Furnish having one we’ve been inundated with calls.
“Being in Llangollen provides us with the perfect setting, especially since we have just heard Plas Newydd is going to be a venue for same-sex civil partnership ceremonies.”
from The Evening Leader