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Love
Story
Devoted Couple’s Emotional Wedding Day
By
Patrick McCool
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A
toast with Janet and Tommy as they set off on their wedding
day to All Saints Church in Albert Road, Stechford, Birmingham |
Like
any other happy couple on their wedding day, newlyweds Janet
Brown and Tommy Beacall took their vows before a packed and
smiling congregation. But the smiles were hiding a sad fact;
54 year old Tommy had been told he had 3-6 months to live,
after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. More than
500 guests witnessed a very moving ceremony at All Saints Church
in Albert Road, Birmingham on the 29th August, when Tommy and
Janet promised each other “till death us do part”.
Janet aged 57 said “when Tommy was told he had three to
six month to live, he went straight to the vicar and arranged
our wedding, he never once got down about it.
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Janet
and Tommy accompanied by Janets daughter, Lisa Kelly
(bridesmaid on the day) and the Best Man |
Tommy
who is well known in the city as he owns The Rock Florists
in Flaxley Road, Stechford, a florist who celebrates with the
Irish on St Patrick’s Day, and the English on St George’s
Day, the front of his shop being decked out in the appropriate
colours on the day. Accordion playing Tommy enjoys the St Patrick’s
Day parade in Digbeth; Birmingham each year, his float is
always well received by the general public out to enjoy the
day.
For his wedding day, he wore highland dress and accompanied
by the youngsters he mentors in the Flowershop Band, and
The Birmingham Irish Pipe and Drums band, the couple were
given a rousing send off, Janet’s 86 year old father
Luther Ridding from Selly Oak in Birmingham gave her
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The
happy couple with bridesmaids and close family |
away
while her 35 year old daughter, Lisa Kelly, took on the
role of bridesmaid.
A love story that brings life into perspective, Tommy’s
sense of humour is still as sharp as ever, he said to Janet after
hearing his sad news,” he would rather have a great wedding
than a terrible funeral”. The happiness radiated from
the couple confirmed that Tommy and Janet had a fabulous
wedding day; they requested that guests make donations to
charity instead of buying presents.
Congratulations and every happiness in the future to you
both from the Harp.
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Dublin
Set To Honour Geldof And Delany
Dublin is set to give rock star Bob Geldof and legendary Olympic
gold medalist Ronnie Delany the freedom of the city, the decision
was taken at a meeting on Monday 5th September. While Geldof
was widely tipped to receive the award, middle-distance runner
Delany is also being honoured, 49 years after his triumph in
the 1,500 metres final at the Melbourne Olympics.
The Finanna Fail party had initially shown opposition and were
reluctant to give ‘Sir Bob’ the accolade. Lord Mayor
Catherine Byrne said she proposed both Geldof and Delany based
on their “outstanding values” and that the awards
were “long overdue.” After a short recess, councillors
voted unanimously to give the award to the two Dubliners.
When he receives the award Bob Geldof will be honoured for his
work in trying to alleviate Third World debt and his campaign
against world poverty. At the same ceremony, on a date yet to
be decided, Ronnie Delany will be honoured during the 50th anniversary
year of his Olympic win. |
Pubs
Fined Over Smoke Ban
Two pubs, located in what their lawyers described as “tough” areas
of Dublin, were fines yesterday for letting customers smoke.
The Sunset House in Summerhill and the Cabra House in Fassaugh Avenue were
fined €50 and €100.
Dublin District Court heard a garda inspecting the Sunset at 1.45 am on July
3 last year noticed the premises was very smoky and saw a large number of cigarette
butts on the floor.
In the case of the Cabra House, on July 7 at 11 pm, four people had been found
actually smoking. |
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