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Jimmy Marshall's 80th Birthday

SWELL-KNOWN Stranraer figure Jimmy Marshall had an 80th birthday party to remember.

For his wish to have what he describes as "his two great loves", grandson, Formula One Grand Prix racing ace David Coulthard and Irish singing superstar Dominic Kirwan under one roof came true.

And he can still hardly believe it happened.

Former railwayman and councillor Jimmy, who lives at 36 Parklea Gardens, Stranraer, thought he was going for a family meal in The Star Inn in Twynholm, the home village of son-in-law Duncan Coulthard and his wife, Jimmy’s daughter Joyce.

"We usually go in the car but this time we walked down",
Jimmy recalled to the ‘Free Press’ this week.
"On the way down from the house, Duncan told me the hallkeeper was daft on railways and wanted a word".

But instead of meeting the hallkeeper, Jimmy was greeted with 100 guests at a surprise birthday party.

"I was absolutely speechless", he said .