Grandmother finds her old wedding dress in charity shop
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A GRANDMOTHER-OF-THREE was shocked to see a mannequin in her local charity shop wearing her wedding dress – and it looked as crisp and clean as the day she wore it 36 years ago.
Linda Jackson was bargain-hunting in the Forces Support charity shop in Telford Street, Inverness, when she made the surprise find.
Spotting the second-hand gown straight away, she happily paid the £20 on the price tag and plans to give it to her daughter Heather to wear on her own wedding day.
"When I saw it on the model in the shop I recognised it immediately," she said.
"You don’t forget your wedding dress."
Ms Jackson, of Dochfour Drive, Dalneigh, bought the dress for £75 and married Marcus Jackson in Pontefract, Yorkshire in 1982.
She then moved to Inverness and after selling it to a bride-to-be, thought she had seen the last of it.
The 61-year-old, who is a full-time carer for her 27-year-old son Ross who has Down’s syndrome, said not many people bought wedding dresses brand new in the 1980s, so she felt she was doing a good turn by selling it.
But she was speechless when it turned up again after so many years.
"I actually couldn’t believe it when I saw it in the shop," she said.
"It does sell second-hand wedding dresses from time to time but I never in a million years expected to see mine.
"I knew it was mine straight away because I had cut the labels and added an extra hook at the back."
And despite having no sentimental ties to the dress, the mother-of-four bought it without hesitation.
"My daughter has the veil and now she has the dress. She is actually the same size as I was back then and she is in a serious relationship. She said she would customise it."
The dress, a simple white gown with lace embroidery, is in very good condition.
"It’s still really white," Ms Jackson said.
"Someone has looked after it very well. I would just love to know where it has been all these years. Maybe someone will get in touch through the newspaper. That would be wonderful."
Charity shop manager Donna Forbes said it was a heartwarming story to share with customers.
"That’s absolutely amazing," she said. "It’s fabulous to hear that things can come back round again, especially after so many years.."
Did you own the dress after Ms Jackson? Email us via newsdesk@spp-group.com or call us on 01463 233059.
