Thank you all for making the effort to attend this years reunion in such  volatile and difficult times. We were so very pleased to welcome Peter Grant Morrison (Jock) to the reunion and his attendance was due to the diligent research of Richard Wardrobe, well done mate keep on searching, a few more for next year‘s 60th anniversary would be brilliant.  We also have the added bonus of meeting his lovely wife Shona, instantly fitted into the reunion routine seamlessly making friends with Chris Plaxton and leaving a lasting impression on everyone there.

 

Those attending this year’s reunion were Grant Morrison and Shona, Jeff Plaxton and Chris, Brian Ogilvie, Bob Pitt, Bob Cuss, Dave Beaumont, Alistair McCrindle, Russell Harvey, Trevor Harvey, Bob Izatt, Jim McComisky, Barry Brannigan, Alan Gray, John Evans, Des Wilson, Jeff Parsons and Mike Stephens.

 

The reunion could not of started better as the Sun came out to welcome us all on a glorious day. As per usual everyone made their way to the main bar area where the early birds had commandeered all the vacant chairs for the late arrivals and staked out a 49th reunion area. Last to arrive were Grant and Shona to the very warmest of welcomes, in fact we heard Grant before we saw him. After a lot of hugs and firm handshakes we all spent the remaining time waiting for our rooms by catching up on what had gone on since last year.

 

The afternoon bowls tournament was quickly scuppered by the fact that the surface area was being renewed. Option two was “Des guided walk”, which also started a little shaky as the first two access gates onto the pathways were locked. It was at this moment that Bob Pitt began to panic a bit when Des suggested we climb over the 5 foot gate, as long as we avoid the “Barbed Wire” Bob’s mind was recalling a few bad memories of our PE exercises in the Welsh mountains at Crickhowell and more importantly the fact that he could be sat back at Thoresby Hall with a cold beer.

 

In respect of the golf and snooker tournaments there is a lot of speculation over Dave Beaumont’s improvements this year in both events, drugs or weekly practice with a pro teacher have been mentioned along with imposing a handicap if he gets any better. The shot of the reunion has to go to Trevor Harvey, I will leave it there and just say see the photo. Alistair McCrindle got the biggest cheer and applause when he produce bottles of his sons cider for everyone, also see photo and if you get a chance to buy some in your local area it is well worth it.

 

A big thank you goes out to Bob Cuss for putting this years reunion together which had more challenges than usual, and to get us our own dining room area again was a real bonus, well done. As mentioned earlier it’s our 60th anniversary next year and it has been agreed to return to Thoresby Hall once more. We would love to get as big a response as at our 50th, meeting up with more new attendees and also welcome back those who have missed the last few because of Covid etc. We are also planning to make this one a bit special so see if you can make it, see you there.