Joanie Group Neath, 5th October 2015

Another day, another show for a group that helps the community . It is always a sincere pleasure to meet such people and to provide some small service to them. As an added bonus, the Joaneys of Neath meet at the YMCA. This brought cheer to the heart of this wizzened old photographer, as from 1970 until 1972 I lived in the YMCA in Norwich. Today brought back a lot of memories! By now, after six years in Wales, these events all seem to work to a pattern. At first there is some reluctance to dress up with a modest anxiety of the unknown. Then there is the bustle and growing confidence of getting dressed for the show, then there is the exultant enthusiasm of being part of something that you now know is good. So it was this afternoon. The ladies put their costumes on and became Victorians for an afternoon. Afterwards there was little conversation other than what they had seen and worn. Thank you all you Joaneys. What you gave us with your enthusiasm is immeasurable. Without you, there is no show.