For those who may not know, we lost another of our entry last year, Peter Wood sadly lost his brave fight with cancer. Peter attended his first reunion in 2013 having found us on our website, ill health prevented him making the 2014 & 2015 reunions but his determination to meet up with his old comrades again somehow got him to the 2016 & 2017 reunions where he joined in the activities and throughly enjoyed the occasion. Peter will be remembered by all of us who had the privilege to have known him.

 

Attendees this year: Dave Beaumont; Barry Brannigan; Bob Cuss; Mike Dewes; John Evans; Keith Fraser; Alan Gray; Barry Hood & Ann; Trevor Harvey & Grace; Rob Izatt; Norrie Lowson; Alistair McCrindle; Malcolm Jones & Pam; Jim McComisky; Geoff Plaxton & Chris; Geoff Parsons; Bob Rock; Anne & Ben Ridley; Mike Stephens; Stuart Simpson; Richard Wardrobe & Ann Marie; Des Wilson.

 

Congratulations to Dave Beaumont; John Evans; Alistair McCrindle; Bob Cuss; and Mike Stephens on a decade of reunion attendances. 

 

Because Thoresby Hall could not accommodate us on the dates we had chosen this year, we had opted for our alternative choice: Alvaston Hall Nantwich in Cheshire. A big thank you must go to Barry Hood and Ann for making the trip from Canada to attend their 2nd reunion, we also welcome Anne and Ben Ridley who wanted to take the opportunity to meet the Boy Entrants Gil had served with and to put a face to those he had spoken about. Ben quickly settled in helping take photos of the group and Anne joined in the annual bowls match ending up on the winning team. Both were given a warm welcome and made to feel part of the reunion.

 

Our resident Thesbian: Keith Fraser once again delivered a memorable performance (video in attachments) even when in full flow he could not be upstaged by a certain Geordie (guess who) arriving late and ambling across in front of him and his audience. Well done Keith more next year please. 

 

Heartfelt commiserations to Alistair McCrindle in the bowls tournament, when it looked certain he was about to become the winning captain for the 10th year, up stepped Trevor Harvey to play the last bowl of the match. He produced an extraordinary shot that somehow avoided the 30 other bowls that were literally all over the green and obscuring the jack to snake between the three closest shots held by Alastair's team to win the match. As winning captain Bob Cuss was quick to take the plaudits claiming it was just good team selection that won the match, which was a bit surprising as he was still playing golf for the first 5 ends.

 

Bob Rock, Alan Gray, Bob Cuss, Keith Fraser, Dave Beaumont and virgin golfer Des (Tiger Woods) Wilson enjoyed a round of 9 holes on a course that tested both their skills and stamina. After an enjoyable couple of hours they were pleased not to have lost too many balls in the ponds and long grass around the course.

 

This year our group participated in a number of activities ranging from Cross Bow, Archery, Golf, Bowls, Boules, Swimming pool and the guided walks around grounds. Our six ladies in the group, Anne, Chris, Pam, Ann Marie and Grace were once again made to feel most welcome and I would sincerely like to thank them for joining us and help in making the reunion another great success.

 

I would like to encourage any 49er who has not attended a reunion or has missed the last few to consider joining us next year at Thoresby Hall.  It is a great venue with something for everyone, whether you wish to participate in activities or jus relax in the many superb lounge rooms avail and get reacquainted with old friends. We would love to see you.