Reunion in Cornwall 2009

The 2009 reunion was held in Cornwall to commemorate our summer camp held at Holywell Bay 50 years back in 1959. As Newquay is apparently rather seedy these days, it was decided to decamp a few miles south to the more upmarket town of St Austell, staying in the Cliff Head hotel, just a stone's throw from the sea.

The Territorial Army camp next to which we camped in 1959 at Holywell Bay is still there.

The Corner Cafe is now part of a block of flats, but the thatched pub is still there

As well as visiting the site of our 1959 summer camp, I also took the opportunity on the Saturday morning to travel deeper into Cornwall to the village of Townshend. There I sought out and photographed the grave of Pilot Officer Louis Frank East (29th entry). I had previously researched his family history for articles in the East Family History Society magazine and The Haltonian. I was lucky to have been invited into village hall for a pensioners' lunch with a cousin of Louis Frank's widow Lucy.

Because there were so many sights in the area, no special trip was arranged; members dispersed to visit as they wished. Michael Campbell kindly sent in a collection of photos showing places he had visited. Here Michael is at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Michael's other photos will be published on a separate page shortly.

Gathering in the hotel bar before the reunion dinner.

Jim Thompson receives applause for his speech.

Tony Moss (with his smart modern hair style!) once again generously donated the wine for the reunion dinner.

The traditional raffle to raise entry funds.

Gathering for the after-breakfast reunion.

Waiting for the traditional after-breakfast meeting at which next years reunion would be discussed. It was decided that the 2010 reunion would be held coincident with the Halton Triennial reunion.

Group photo before departure, although several people stayed on for the Sunday night.

Later on Sunday morning members wandered down the coast to a nearby port for lunch.