Blencowe Families’ Association Reunion 2008
Port Macquarie Australia - 25 to 27 April

With not long to go now, plans are falling into place for the family gathering in Port Macquarie from 25 – 27 April. Please let us know if you intend to come as we need to finalise numbers. After a recent rush we are looking at a possible 130 people attending. We have overseas cousins from USA, Belgium and New Zealand attending. We have had a very good response from the website, so many thanks to webmaster, Benn who has done such a great job.

The most surprising response was through a “return to sender” invitation coming back from New Zealand which the post office “returned” to a first cousin of mine who we were unable to locate. It as it turns out that she lives only 10 minutes away from Anne. The name “Blencowe” on the senders label prompted the post office to conclude it must be from the Blencowe they knew of nearby and sent it to her. Needless to say we have had a lovely catch up since then! One cousin found!

Australians are coming from New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, South Australia and West Australia (4,000+ kilometres away). For a time the Blen spelling was winning with numbers but a late challenge has been made from the Blins who seem to be popping up from all corners of the country raising the possibility of some serious Blinx verses Blenx activity.

With several people in their 90s and the youngest yet to be born we have a wide range of participants. Although most of the genealogy minded are in the upper bracket, it is pleasing note how many young adults are interested in coming.

Already a number of folk have taken up a Blencowe Families' Association subscription. Fran has it as a personal mission to have as many people join the association as possible over the weekend.

We are eagerly waiting to view the family masterpiece mural Phil Bailey has spent many hours putting together. What started as an idea to represent all those attending on the one family tree has turned into a definitive representation of the wider family. A huge project Phil - it is a pity only those at the reunion will see of your masterpiece. Our problem however will be setting up the display at the venue so that it can be appreciated to its full extent. See Phil’s page 4 article.

Another reunion project that started as a simple idea to list those who have made the supreme sacrifice in various war arenas has resulted in a book! Anne wishes to thank the families who have contributed extra information and photos in recognition of their relative’s sacrifice. Also, thank you to Marilyn, Astle (Canada), Roger Blenko (NZ), Paul Brooker (UK) and Judith Gardiner (NZ) who have helped with the research in tracing information hidden in all sorts of places and found despite the subjects of the research changing dates of birth, country of birth and actual name on enlistment!

In starting research on the project the aim was to link the men and women’s names from the world’s war memorials to their family information. In honouring their sacrifice it acknowledges the families who lost loved ones. It is primarily a genealogy resource rather than a war record. They will be remembered on Anzac Day at the dawn service and at the reunion.

Along with genealogy workshops and discussions, many people have opted to enjoy some outdoor activities. Kayaking is quite popular along with scenic and historic walks, cycle tours, dolphin watching and koala feeding. Winery visits top the list. Age doesn’t seem to be a limiter in the adventure sports activities either – we’re not sure if octogenarian Norman will do all the activities he is listed for, but we will make sure the camera is there if he does!

There is no way in which this reunion will resemble the pilgrimage back to Marston St Lawrence and Oxford hosted by Peter Blencowe last July. There will not be the emotion of going back to our roots and marvelling at all things old.

The Port Macquarie Reunion is purely a social gathering of the clan. Getting to know the wider family, who for whatever reason, have left England for better or worse and forged a new life on distant shores. It will be interesting to see how we have all fared. What likenesses emerge – that something that shows our Blen or Blin-co -ness.

With a batch of DNA results due back by then we could find some branches are more closely connected than first thought – or the reverse! We might not be able to compete with the historical setting of England, but, we are excited about the opportunity of swapping, sharing and gathering genealogy information. The reunion downunder will give the members of the Blencowe Families' Association an appreciation of our ancestors.

Anne & Fran