Gretna Hall Hotel
Gretna Hall Hotel

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Did you know why Gretna Green has its reputation as a romantic place to wed? In England changes in the law in 1754 meant that elopement marriages became impossible; but in Scotland until 1856 it was only necessary for couples to pronounce their wish to be man and wife before witnesses for a marriage to be considered legal. Thus Gretna, (and specifically its smithy) just over the border on the main northwest route, became the destination of choice for runaway lovers.

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On this day:
Normans Invade Ireland - 1169, Great Exhibition opens - 1851, TUC meets to agree on a General Strike - 1926, Sutton Hoo Dig Begins - 1939, Betting Shops Legal - 1961, Last UK Concert by Beatles - 1966, Tony Blairs 'New Labour' sweeps to power - 1997, Millennium May Day Protests - 2000
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