54 Friends attended a most successful Annual Dinner at The Great Western Parkway in Cwmbran. The evening began very well and in good spirits when Father Ray Hayter (Minor Canon) said Grace and we all sat down to begin the meal with a grin on our faces! The buzz of conversation and the outbursts of laughter during the three-course meal highlighted the enjoyment of those present. Canon Jeremy Winston, currently Vicar of St Mary’s Priory Church, Abergavenny, and Dean-Designate of Monmouth joined us as our after dinner speaker. Canon Jeremy arrived and those assembled already knew that he was celebrating his birthday on this day and, if you look at the attached photographs, you will see his reaction when he was serenaded by a Cathedral version of ‘Happy Birthday’! Father Jeremy’s after-dinner speech was excellent; very amusing and based on anecdotes of eccentricity amongst his family and some of his parishioners over the years. Laughter was certainly at the forefront of his delivery but there were underlying messages for those of us reaching more mature ages. I believe I am safe in saying that everyone enjoyed the friendship and fellowship, the laughter and the food, and the comments made after the event were all positive.
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