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Woman finds 1973 wedding pages under floorboards of Gillingham home

A woman uncovered a little piece of good news nostalgia under the floorboards of her mum's home.

Gillian Mardel was decorating a bedroom and after ripping up the old lino, discovered an old newspaper cutting from September 1973 featuring the Weddings Album.

Gillian Mardel explaining what happened next

Over two pages in the now defunct Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham News, were scores of happy couples across Medway snapped on their big day.

She put the faded double-page spread on social media which prompted a massive response from people who recognised themselves or a relation at their nuptials.

The black and white photos featured the fashionable big permed hairdos for the brides and beards and moustaches for the grooms.

And noticeably some of the men wore uniform in honour in being based in the Towns, then noted for military connections.

People who featured on the Wedding Page back in October 1973
People who featured on the Wedding Page back in October 1973

Weightwatchers coach Gillian said: "I was surprised at the response. I thought people move away over the years, but it has really struck a chord.

"People were saying what a fantastic find, while others were saying how the bride and groom had different addresses."

Gillian was doing up the room in Selbourne Road, Gillingham, when she spotted the pages along with some old cuttings from the Daily Telegraph. Both were priced at 4p.

She said her late father Brian White and mum Dora bought the Friday paper every week and it was possible her dad had placed the papers under the floorboards many years ago.

The former Royal Engineer returned to Medway from his post in Germany when Gillian was just six months old.

Do you recognise anybody from the page?
Do you recognise anybody from the page?

The mum-of-six said: "Dad was a big Gills' fan and named me after the club."

On other pages retrieved there was a match report of the Gillingham game in which the then Division 4 side drew with Rotherham 1-1.

There were mentions of star players Damien Richardson, Dick Tydeman and Brian Yeo.

There was also a story about Cliff Richard appearing at Chatham's Central Hall on September 27 which was a box office sell-out.

The front page story was a "scandal" involving a councillor who had been given a one-bedroom flat.

People who featured on the Wedding Page back in October 1973
People who featured on the Wedding Page back in October 1973

And chaos on the M2 was reported after a multi-vehicle pile up.

Do you recognise yourself from the pages? Call KentOnline's sister publication the Medway Messenger on 01634 227800 or email medway@thekmgroup.co.uk.

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