Ending 2023 on a High

By Jim Smith

 

Ending 2023 on a high.

We left our pony-tailed hero having finished the half-year meeting in Cyprus and the halfway point of his year as 41 Club International President. His next visit was to Switzerland for their AGM in November.  


 First stop was a visit to stay with Swiss IRO, the irrepressible Noe Zanotta.   Noe of course provided wonderful company but also was happy to show   Barry around. A trip to one of Noe’s shops was followed by visits to   Montreux and a highlight visit to “Barryland”. Yes there really is one, in   Martigny, but unfortunately it is not dedicated to the Barry we know but to a   very worthwhile cause, that of the Great St. Bernard Dog breed. They then   moved on to the beautiful city of Lausanne for the AGM where many friends   met for the last International AGM of 2023. 





The final trip of the year was to be in Merano for the renowned Chestnut Festival. Squeezed in between Switzerland and Merano Barry and Rachel joined five other past GB&I Presidents (including me!) on a brief trip to the Peak District in the UK and in particular the wonderful Chatsworth House for it’s spectacular Christmas decorations and Christmas market. Unfortunately as Barry couldn’t get there on time he missed the visit to the famous Bakewell Pudding shop. The 41 Club of Merano in Italy have been inviting guests to the famous festival for a number of years, led over many recent years by Past President International Randolph Riedlinger. Visits to a winery, mountain top meals and botanical gardens visit plus, of course, the chestnuts all added up to an excellent fun packed weekend. With many thanks to Randolph, who sadly lost his 103 year old mother during the festival and our condolences to him on his loss. 


Bearing in mind all the travelling he had done this year Barry decided to give the German Christmas Parcel Convoy a miss this year. As many will know he has been on this convoy for a number of years, visiting Moldova. His charities as we know are both Moldovan, “The House of Hope” and “Hope for Victims of Crime and Conflict”. If you do get an opportunity to make a donation to these charities please do or buy a badge from Barry when you see him. If you want to see more about this years convoy please read Ray Hill’s brilliant International December newsletter from the link https://www.41international.net/2023/12/news-no-19-december-2023/.

Until we return again in the New Year, on behalf of President Barry, we wish you a very Happy Festive Season and a healthy and prosperous 2024.

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

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