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Reunions
2013
Cader Idris
Cader Idris
The Cader Idris Anniversary Climb
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This years 10th. anniversary climb was to take place on Saturday, 23rd. March 2013, with a group of 12 ex-AAJLR 'boys' and some of their partners/family, including two ‘boys’ flying in from Queensland, Australia, and another from Calgary, Canada. They were to be joined by the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Director for Wales, Stephanie Price, and a group of 15 young DofE participants from Ysgol Dyffryn Taf; a school in Carmarthenshire.
A commemorative plaque was also be unveiled at the top by William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrats Regional Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales. This would give recognition to the reconstruction of the stone shelter at the summit by the boys of the All Arms Junior Leaders Regiment during the 1960’s. The plaque will be placed permanently in the Countryside Council for Wales Cadair Idris Visitor Centre at the base of the mountain.
Unfortunately due to terrible weather conditions the climb had to be cancelled.
The Team
The 50 Years On Team At The Pony Path Start
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A report from René Dee (Climb Leader)
The 2013 Cader Climb
The weather on Cader was the worst I have seen since 'The Big Freeze' in the winter of 1962/63 that I know many will also remember. However, we did make an attempt at climbing the Pony Path, but I called a halt to this at a very early stage as it was clear we would be endangering ourselves by carrying on any further. The decision was not disputed by anyone and down we came - the first time in 10 years that I have been defeated.
The DofE cancelled their involvement on the Friday for obvious Health & Safety reasons, given their responsibilities and duty of care to their young school leaders. However, not all was lost and William Powell AM did attend the Reunion evening where we had a photo of him and me with the plaque that can be used for further publicity. The plaque will go into the Visitor Centre with a photo of the '50 Years On Team' taken at the Pony Path start. I met with Paul Williams from the Countryside Council of Wales at the Visitor Centre and we have agreed where both will be sited, a very good position within the main exhibition area.
The DofE have also stated that they wish to use the biogs and personal statements I have gathered from team members and others as 'case studies'. This will give the AAJLR Comrades Association, and the individuals they choose, further exposure that has always been my primary aim. They have also said that they hope to make another attempt with their Carmarthen School group in the summer. There may well be another opportunity, therefore, for some of us to join them then.
William Powell did also say that he felt there were other avenues he could go down, in an effort to help us further. He sat on my table at the Reunion and had the opportunity of absorbing the importance and emotion of the occasion so is in a far better position to continue supporting us, as a result.
Kind regards,
René Dee
Turning Back
Turning Back Because Of The Extreme Conditions
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Below are links to more information about the climb.
 The Very Start Of The Idea 
 Letter To H.R.H. Prince Harry 
 Reply From H.R.H. Prince Harry 
 Letter To H.R.H. Prince Philip 
 Reply From H.R.H. Prince Philip 
 DofE Press Release 
 Cambrian News - 14 March 2013 
 Wales On Sunday - March 17, 2013 
 Cambrian News Online - Friday 22nd March 2013 
 The Commemorative Plaque 
 Photos From Stan Preece 
 Photos From Dennis Nicholson 
 Scans From Richard Abraham 
 The Plaque In The Visitors Centre 
 Surrey Times - April 10th. 2013 
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 Return To The 2013 Reunion Page 

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If you have any reunion photos I would love to show them.


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