OAPs Eddie and Ann say “I do” all over again in Brechin day care ‘dream factory’

A pair of Angus pensioners were swept off their feet when a regular day centre visit turned into a surprise opportunity to say “I do” all over again.

Sweethearts Eddie and Ann Bundy from Brechin walked down the ‘aisle’ of the town’s Dalhousie Centre to renew the wedding vows they made more than 30 years ago.

And it happened after centre staff pulled out all the stops to make their dream a reality.

Full wedding package

Eddie, 84, and 76-year-old Anne couldn’t believe their eyes when the day centre bus pulled up at their Brechin home decked in wedding ribbons and bows.

Chauffeur Jo Grieve was at the wheel, with centre community liaison officer Leanne Reid in full Highland dress to act as page boy.

And once they made the short trip into the heart of the town they found centre manager Gail Swankie there to act as flower girl.

A piper, wedding cake, flowers, balloon display, buffet and even musical entertainment were all laid on for the popular couple.

Ann and Eddie have been regulars at the High Street centre for a couple of years

Tears of joy

And there was barely a dry eye among family and fellow day centre members as Edzell and Fern minister, the Rev. Dr Wayne Pearce conducted the short service.

It was sealed with a kiss – or three – from the octogenarian groom to his lovely bride.

Stunned Eddie said: “It was incredible.

“I never even talked to them about it and it all just happened.

“Imagine them doing all this just for me and Anne, I can’t believe it.”

And Ann admitted she was “overwhelmed” by the occasion.

“It’s absolutely fantastic. It takes me back all those years, and more.”

Eddie and Ann married in the Angus town’s registrar’s 31 years ago, some years after Ann lost her first husband in a tragic accident.

She has four children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Son Gavin said: “It’s been a lovely thing for them to experience – and it wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for the centre.

“They are here three times a week and love it.”

Changing the image of day care

Centre manager Gail revealed it’s the latest special event the Dalhousie has laid on to try and shake the staid image of senior citizen day care.

Those have included a seaside horse-ride for one 95-year-old and a trip in an American muscle car for another regular.

“We’re trying to make this a bit of a dream factory for our members – if they want to do something then we will make it a reality for them.

“Anything is achievable,” added Gail, who has been at the centre for 29 years and manager for the last seven.

“Just a mention of it was made by Eddie a wee while ago and when we were speaking to Ann she said she would love to renew her vows.”

But the centre staff then threw a veil of secrecy around the ambitious plans until yesterday’s surprise.

And ‘wedding planner’ Leanne praised the community’s help in making the couple’s big day.

“It’s been a lot of work so I can maybe sleep tonight!” she joked.

“The community have been so generous, we haven’t had to spend a penny to make it such a special occasion for them.

“I want to try and change the face of day care and make it more of a club where the members can do more than just have a cup of tea and chat.

“Age is just a number so there’s no limits to what we can do.”

More pics by Courier photographer Gareth Jennings from Ann and Eddie’s wedding album.