THE first opposite sex civil partnership In Worcestershire took place on New Year’s Eve at the Register Office at County Hall in Worcester.
Charli Hartley and Fred Hartley, both aged 29, are the first couple in the county to become civil partners.
The couple, from Broadway, attended the Register Office at County Hall with their daughter Aurora Grace and their two witnesses Charli’s sister and their best friend.
The couple have been together for 13 years and Charli changed her name by Deed Poll when her daughter was born, so they all kept the same family name.
“Neither of us subscribe to the religious beliefs, nor the gender stereotypes and notion of ownership, that come with marriage,” said Charli.
“Many people have said to us in the past ‘Why not just marry? You don’t have to say the typical vows, celebrate in your own way, and then you’ll get the legal status that you want’.
“Our relationship will not change as a result of this, but to have the legal rights means a lot.”
