I haven't missed too many Blackpool meetings since I started attending them in 1992 after joining up at the Warrington Exhibition in 1991. Sadly I missed this one and even more sadly, I missed probably the best meeting of the year! I missed a meeting in 2009 when a stay in a hospital bed prevented me from travelling to Blackpool and at this 2023 November gathering, I was again inconveniently kept away owing to another visit to the hospital after suffering a very severe fall. I am fortunate in that I have many friends within our Society and I am so grateful that they kept me updated with words, images and video clips. In the following days, I also received cards and good wishes via texts, letters and emails, even from members that I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. I am also fortunate in that I have Kathryn who has looked after me and supported me in every possible way. We both wish to thank you one and all for your kind thoughts and good wishes. They were all so gratefully received and proved once again, that GFS members are the nicest people and I hold the firm belief that if a member of the GFS should suffer misfortune, then they are definitely in the best organisation I can think of - without a shadow of doubt! Peter and Kathryn xxx