A fine selection of able-bodied chaps gathered at Peter & Beth’s home on Saturday morning to put up the gazebos for Sunday’s Summer Lunch. The garden looked like a team of gardeners had been at work, but Beth assured us that they did all the work themselves.
Alan Longshaw had brought over his tents and Bill Jones was there to help even though neither of them were going to be able to make it to the lunch itself – what altruism!
Alan directed the operations, showing us which bit fitted where, and there was a general 
discussion about positioning of the gazebos in the garden. It didn’t take too long, and by midday, we were able to sit under the canvas to enjoy a well-earned drink and biscuit.
Many thanks to the construction team!
Sunday Lunch on Saturday 4th July at ‘Silvana’
With everyone having looked with fear and trepidation at the weather forecast for mid-day on the Sunday, what a great joy it was when Jupiter declined to agree and offered us a window of opportunity to have a most delightful and convivial get-together in the wonderful garden of Beth and Peter Sykes-Johnston at Gerrards Cross. On arrival at Silvana, and being welcomed by a Welsh Flag, a Welsh Dragon placed auspiciously on a small table offered the use of hand-gel to ward off the Covid terror.
Volunteers had been there earlier to put up 3 large excellent white Marquees sufficient to comfortably accommodate tables, each with up to 6 people, to keep us safe within the Covid guidelines. Food was professionally provided by “…To Dine For…”, most ably administered by Stephanie and Susan, and most excellently arranged by Kay Day. The mature garden, resplendent with trees, flowering shrubs, floral beauties of all kinds interspaced with garden effects, was drowned by the engaging chatter of people enjoying a moment of real integration away from zoom meetings and distant exchanges. Each table was adorned with a white tablecloth and a floral tribute placed centrally, carefully arranged place settings, and supported with comfortable chairs. The sun shone, the air was warm: a Greek Elysian Llwyn Afallon by any standards!
In orderly fashion, befitting the recognised culture of the CDWS, each table rose when requested to collect their food and return to continue exchanges and reminiscences of visits to Wales, present and past events, news and family matters.
Photographs were taken of happy faces amongst the Welsh gold as each one toasted the future of the Society. The photographer witnessed only one fall amongst the aging assembly and that was of a beautiful stainless steel water-fall in the shrubbery! Those of us who managed to walk around were amazed at the variety of plants interspersed with vibrant sculptures and child oriented Peter Rabbit type memorabilia.
At an appropriate point, retired Chairman David Powell was thanked warmly by Lifetime President, Ann Evans, for the masterly way he had conducted the Society through a difficult Covid time and was presented with a bottle of the elixir of Welsh life – Penderyn Whisky – intended to alleviate his pains and help him continue unabated his work as a Committee Member.
As it was the President’s Birthday that day, a rousing tribute was sung to Ann to commemorate the auspicious event! Thanks were expressed by the newly elected Chairman, Colin Picton, for the wonderful part that Kay had played in arranging the cuisine, for the loan of the Marquees and the members who had erected them, and use of a beautiful garden for the event by Beth and Peter. Beth was then presented with a bouquet of flowers in grateful thanks, and Peter responded with Welsh candour and harmony.
Shortly afterwards, as if prompted by an unseen Zeus hiding in the trees, the heavens opened and blessings came down to ensure that we packed our bags and left for home!
Just another wonderful day in the history of the Society!!
Barrie Reece