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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Reunion on farm for Welsh Guards | Reunion on farm for Welsh Guards |
| (1 day later) | |
| More than 300 former Welsh Guards have met on a farm in Carmarthenshire for one of the largest reunions in the regiment's history. | More than 300 former Welsh Guards have met on a farm in Carmarthenshire for one of the largest reunions in the regiment's history. |
| Some ex-soldiers travelled from as far as Australia and Germany for the event organised by a website set up three years ago to them keep in touch. | Some ex-soldiers travelled from as far as Australia and Germany for the event organised by a website set up three years ago to them keep in touch. |
| Some camped and others travelling by coach to the site near Pendine. | Some camped and others travelling by coach to the site near Pendine. |
| Organisers said they would also be fundraising for Welsh Guards currently serving in Afghanistan. | Organisers said they would also be fundraising for Welsh Guards currently serving in Afghanistan. |
| The website Welsh Guards Reunited was set up a couple of ex-soldiers and now has almost 2,000 members around the world. | The website Welsh Guards Reunited was set up a couple of ex-soldiers and now has almost 2,000 members around the world. |
| We've had a few reunions prior to this - it's reunited friends who have not seen each other for 40 years - but nothing like this Mike Cummins, webmaster | We've had a few reunions prior to this - it's reunited friends who have not seen each other for 40 years - but nothing like this Mike Cummins, webmaster |
| Saturday's barbecue was the most ambitious event organised to date. | Saturday's barbecue was the most ambitious event organised to date. |
| Mike Cummins, who runs the website, said there was a fully licensed bar, live music and activities such as archery and clay pigeon shooting. | Mike Cummins, who runs the website, said there was a fully licensed bar, live music and activities such as archery and clay pigeon shooting. |
| "We've got one guy who has made the trip from Australia to meet up with pals he has not seen for 45 years. | "We've got one guy who has made the trip from Australia to meet up with pals he has not seen for 45 years. |
| "We've had a few reunions prior to this. It's reunited friends who have not seen each other for 40 years, but nothing like this." | "We've had a few reunions prior to this. It's reunited friends who have not seen each other for 40 years, but nothing like this." |
| Mr Cummins said: "I'll probably choose a more accessible venue next time, but already people are on to me about the next one. I've said, 'hang on, I haven't dried the tents from this time yet'." | Mr Cummins said: "I'll probably choose a more accessible venue next time, but already people are on to me about the next one. I've said, 'hang on, I haven't dried the tents from this time yet'." |
| Mandy Wakely was awarded a solid silver leek for raising amost £3,000 | |
| One of the founders of the website, Tom Jones-Parry, who like Mr Cummins saw active service during the Falklands War, said they would use the event to try and boost the morale of those currently serving in Afghanistan. | One of the founders of the website, Tom Jones-Parry, who like Mr Cummins saw active service during the Falklands War, said they would use the event to try and boost the morale of those currently serving in Afghanistan. |
| "Although it's a bit of a jolly for us we will be thinking of the boys and doing a bit of fundraising for food packages and treats," he added. | "Although it's a bit of a jolly for us we will be thinking of the boys and doing a bit of fundraising for food packages and treats," he added. |
| "Just for them to know we are thinking of them can mean a lot. | "Just for them to know we are thinking of them can mean a lot. |
| "When you are in that situation the smallest things count for so much - a letter from home can be an anchor." |