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| Min-Y-Mor Hotel | |||
| Richard Abraham Report | |||
| When Mike Owsley and I set up the AAJLR Comrades Association (as it became known) in 2004 we accepted that it would be 'time limited'. Given that now the youngest of us is in our mid-seventies, the fact that we are still 'going' in our twenty-first year is some achievement and is testimony to the support we have received, and the fondness - even if 'rose-tinted' spectacles are required by some of us - for Tonfanau and our times there. | |||
| So, to 2025 and the reunion of 28-30 March, which saw a turn-out of twenty-two which included wives, sisters and a first time attendee, Bob Joyce. As usual any words addressed to the group are left to the Saturday carvery meal. | |||
| Jim Sherville and I agreed that I would get up briefly on my 'hind legs' and bring people up to date with where we currently are and how we see the way ahead. Firstly, I started with an update on our President Larry Smith who, very sadly, is unwell suffering with Parkinson's Disease and Dementia. He is in a care home in their village so Barbara (to whom I spoke last week) is able to visit every day. Secondly, our Vice President Mike Owsley, with whom I had a chat on Saturday morning, has just been 'repaired' - as he put it - from his fourth type of cancer. Mike says he has had both Botox and Collagen on the NHS which he sees as a result! He is in great spirits and, as always, optimistic and our call was, as usual, full of nonsense and banter. Otherwise, I passed on good wishes for the weekend from Barbara Parry, Di Bailey, Herbie Slaughter, Stan King, Ruth and Tony Hattersley, Keith Tennant and Keith Dance. (In addition, as it would have taken too long to scroll through social media and other sources at the time, we have received apologies for absence and best wishes to us all from Ken Hart, Nigel Reed, Malcolm Palfrey, John Burns. Larry Formosa, Rene Dee, Ken Hare, Dennis May, Henry Holmes, Victor Forsythe, Eddie Jonas, Trevor Styles, Jim O'Hagan, Paddy Brady, Bryan Fuszard, John Jablonski and Stan Preece. Have now searched all but if I've missed you off this post-reunion list then my apologies; any errors are all mine). | |||
| After a discussion Jim and I had, and with input from Mike, we have decided that - having dropped subscriptions and then the requirement of holding Annual General Meetings - to now refer to our annual get together - as an 'association of like-minded friends' who choose to meet in Barmouth in March each year. That in no way precludes those - like Bob Joyce - who are new to us; in fact, such are all the more welcome. | |||
| Pauline Sherville then very kindly took on the sale of raffle tickets for the myriad of prizes generously donated by those present; Janet Sabini and June Abraham drew the requisite number of tickets and affixed them randomly. The raffle raised £115.00 which, following Brian Marjoram's chance meeting whilst climbing Cadair Idris, will be donated to The Wales Armed Forces Veterans Football Club. Although none present had heard of this charity before, it is described as a significant milestone for the veteran community in Wales, the UK, and Northern Ireland. (Their website is at Wales Armed Forces Veterans FC). | |||
| During the weekend June and I drove down to Tonfanau to take a look at the commemorative tree and the plaque on it which replaced the brass one stolen from the granite boulder a few years ago. Although I was hoping to see a larger plant it is in full bud so is growing slowly. | |||
| All feedback on this recent get together has been very positive evidenced by a number of us booking for the next reunion which will be at The Min-Y-Mor from 27 - 29 March 2026: most paying a deposit for their room. | |||
| In conclusion then, though our ranks are reducing there is still a number of former Junior Leaders and their family members who like to return annually; we shall keep it going as long as we are able. | |||
| Richard Abraham Vice Chairman |
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| Richard Abraham Photographs | |||
| 2025 Attendees | |||
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| Standing left to right: | |||
| June Abraham, John Sabini, David Hughes, Brian Marjoram, Chris Roberts, Jim Sherville, Pat Evans, Tam Forrester, Angela Hughes, Angela Roberts, Christine Searle, Jane Larmouth, Bob Joyce, Janet Sabini, Steve Larmouth, Richard Abraham, John Toothill and Stand Green. | |||
| Seated left to right: | |||
| Pauline Sherville, Teresa Brown, Geoff Brown and Hilda Toothill. | |||
| The New Plaque | |||
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| The Protective Fence | |||
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| The Commemorative Tree | |||
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