Family run business, Gretna Green Ltd, is on the hunt for historic images, video clips and stories from the past to include in their ALL NEW museum exhibition.
Reaching out to families, couples, relatives and friends who have a connection to Gretna Green, the Famous Blacksmiths Shop and its history, the team at Gretna Green Ltd are hoping to uncover some of the hidden stories, and special memories of runaway love and romance from the past.
Their aim is to create the most memorable museum experience, celebrating love and romance, and they need your help!
Gretna Green has been welcoming weddings for over 260 years, following the introduction of the 1754 Marriage Act in England, which meant couples had to be 21 years of age to marry without the consent of their parents – previously no consent was required.
In Scotland, the act did not apply and a couple only had to declare their intentions to be husband and wife in the presence of two witnesses, so many young couples fled to the first village over the border, Gretna Green, and its Famous Blacksmiths Shop to be married.
With this incredible history that spans generations, the Gretna Green Team are actively encouraging their past customers and visitor to share their stories and memories for inclusion in an all new museum exhibition which will form part of the redevelopment project of the Famous Blacksmiths Shop, currently being designed by The North West-based firm, Mather & Co.
Alasdair Houston, Chairman of Gretna Green Ltd says: “We have a rich heritage at Gretna Green which celebrates love, romance and the spirit of beautiful rebellion. Our story is full of passion, daring elopements and love ‘finding a way’ despite the legal shenanigans that are so important to the history of Scotland and England. We want to ensure that the fascinating story of Gretna Green is told in a way that is engaging and inspiring and including stories from the very people who have experienced the true magic of Gretna Green should be part of it.”
Sarah Clarke, Managing Director at Mather & Co, says: “We plan to keep the magic and history of the runaway wedding at the heart of our redevelopment, while making the Blacksmiths Shop and Museum an exciting destination to visit for those who aren’t lucky enough to be tying the knot on the day too.”
Isabel Rhodes, Commercial Director at Gretna Green, says: “The inclusion of real-life stories within our story telling will give those interested in British history and hopeless romantics even more reason to visit Gretna Green and experience the love and romance of this historic destination.
For those with stories to share, these can be submitted in the flowing ways:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @FamousBlacksmithsShop
Mail:
FAO Marketing
Gretna Green Ltd
Headless Cross
Gretna Green
DG16 5EA