A BONTDDU couple secretly eloped to Gretna Green to get married.

The Scottish village is renowned for its ‘runaway’ weddings where historically people would go to make use of less stringent marriage laws in Scotland.

However, Barmouth councillor Gethin Glyn Williams’ marriage was rather less controversial as he had been engaged to his partner, Clare Louise Humphreys, for 18 years prior to them taking their vows.

On Wednesday, 22 February, Gethin married Clare, only telling their four children, Glesni, Catrin, John and William, about the wedding the night before leaving for Scotland.

Glesni and Catrin were bridesmaids and John and William were the best men.

Clare explained the story of their life-long romance.

“Gethin and I have known each other since I was in my early teens,” she said.

“I suppose we decided to get married as Gethin’s dad, Llew, got remarried last August at 77 years of age to the lovely Lesley, who he met on a cruise –that gave us the inspiration to tie the knot ourselves.

“That and the fact the boys all had new suits that had only been worn once!"

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