Bride says yes in Gretna Green – but no to Scottish independence

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/18/scottish-independence-gretna-green-yes-no-marriage

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Since 1754, when English law made it illegal for under-21s to marry without parental consent, lovestruck young couples have been crossing the border to get hitched in Gretna Green.

On Thursday at 1pm, Sarah Smith and Jonathan Codona took the plunge too. Smith, 21 and 20 weeks pregnant with the couple's first child, is from Annan, nine miles west from Gretna, on the Scottish side. Her 32-year-old husband is from Carlisle, England. They met at Screwfix, a DIY shop in Carlisle. She worked in the warehouse; he was her boss.

The significance of their cross-border union on such a momentous day for Anglo-Scottish relations was not lost on the couple. "It's a big day for me and a big day for Scotland," said Jonathan as he waited nervously for his bride. Only Sarah has a vote: she cast her ballot before heading to the ceremony at Gretna's famous blacksmith's shop.

For more than 250 years couples have said "I do" above the historic anvil, when canny blacksmiths realised they could make more money marrying brides and grooms than banging out horseshoes, and turned self-styled "anvil priests".

Sarah's dad, a Scot who served in the King's Own Scottish Borderers regiment, chose the wedding date: "We'll never forget their anniversary," he said, revealing that he was an emphatic no – "purely because it's what I know. I'm happy with the way things are." He made sure he voted before the ceremony "just in case we are not in a fit state because of alcohol".

Sarah also voted no: "I just don't see the point in changing something that's done me fine all my life, and I want the same for my children. Living on the border, we're back and forth all the time."

The couple worried that independence would complicate their lives. "The other day Sarah had a toothache and they wouldn't see her in Carlisle because she's registered in Annan – that sort of thing is only going to get more difficult," said Jonathan.

Sarah, who now works in a "cash for gold" shop in Carlisle said many people were panicking. "For a few weeks now, no one has been wanting change in Scottish notes. Any Scottish money they have in their wallets they're trying to pay with," she said.

Jonathan picked the location. His grandparents eloped to Gretna Green in a horse and cart 100 years ago and he wanted to follow their lead. Jonathan's father, Brian, 71, blinked back tears as he expressed hoped for two lasting unions: his son's marriage and that which unites England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. "I hope the only yes today is the one my son gave," he said.