OVER THE ANVIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22911, 19 June 1936, Page 14

OVER THE ANVIL

GRETNA MAFtRIAGES MORE THAN 300 IjAST YEAR. Mr Richard Rennlson, the man who has married more than 2000 couples over the anvil in the famous blacksmith’s shop at Gretna Green, revealed bow business is conducted when he gave ;evidence before the committee set up by ‘Bit Godfrey Collins, Secretary for Scotland, to probe the question of Scotland’s marriage laws and discover if there is need for reform. It was the fourth meeting of the committee, which is being puesided over by Lord. Morison. Mr Remtuson, who became caretaker at the blacksmith’s shop in 1927, declared that from time to time he had been out of pock<rt by marrying people. "The usual fee aharged mv me for marrying a couple,’’ ’he said, 4 is a guinea, but there are times when I receive nothing.” , , „ Mr George Mackie, of IHoshend Farm, Gretna, the manager of tl»e blacksmith’s shop and employer of Mr Rennison, had already told the committee that the blacksmith’s shop had ceased to be a smithy in 1900. FEE FOR CERTIFICATES. He said he charged Mr Rennison a small fee for the marriage certificates. The sums Mr Reunison received for marrying people varied ffetm nothing to £2O. He supplied figures to the committee showing the number of marriages carried out since 1926: —ID2O to 1928, 365; 1929, 304; 1930, 331 c 1931, 244; 1932, 215; 1933, 210; 1934, 321; 1935, 305. Mr Mackie denied a suggestion that he had employed Mr Rennison because he thought he was good at the business of bluffing. Mr Rennison, in _ bis evidence, revealed that he was willinjc to marry couples at any time of tl;e dpy or night, and that if lie was not available lus wife undertook to conduct the marriages. “ When couples come to tfiie shop, he said, “ I ask them if they have the necessary 21 days’ residence in Scotland. When* they have satisfied me on this point I then ask them for their wetnesses. It they have none, I supply tlae witnesses, to whom 1 pay a fee of 2a Od. " NOT A MONEY-GRABBER." “During the summer, the ibusy season at Gretna, I keep five people ifcndy .to act as witnesses.” In reply to a Question on the fees which he charged for marrying couples, Mr Rennison said: “ I am not what you call a moneygrabber. All 1 want to do is to live. Neither am I a priest. I do oot wish to be a priest.” He added that he could only take the 'word of the cowples who went to the blacksmith’s shop as proof that they bad resided in Scotland for 21 days. “ Fortunately, I have had. very few cases of false representation," las Said.