IS there any chance that those who report on weddings in the papers or in broadcasts may learn that the bride and groom answer 'I will,' not 'I do,' to the question put to each of them at the beginning of the marriage ceremony?

I know that 'I do' is preferred by those who write romantic songs because it rhymes easily with 'skies of blue,' 'hearts so true,' 'I love you' etc. But in the Church of England the required answer is and always has been, 'I will.'

I used to warn brides and grooms against saying 'I do.' Occasionally, I told them that, if either of them did this, I would repeat the question, and continue to do so until he or she gave the right answer.

Almost invariably they were right first time, but this was no thanks to the media, which has been misleading the public on this point for as long as I can remember which is quite a long time.

CANON J W DIXON, Sunnyside Avenue, Wilpshire, Blackburn.

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