It all started with a chat about the old days and John’s time in the AA one Wednesday at a walk and talk event. John Bowyer, who lives in Saundersfoot with his wife, Anne, was an AA patrol man for 32 years.

On one job, John was tasked to get a family to the ferry port to catch the boat to Ireland. The car had broken down on the way but John simply hitched the car on to his AA truck and managed to get to the ferry just in time, thus avoiding a disastrous start to a family holiday.

Whilst he was waiting for his next job to come through John would sit in his patrol van and write poems and stories to pass the time. It became clear that these poems and stories were good enough to share and John admitted that it would be his greatest dream to see his work in print.

The magic breakthrough came when John’s friend, Saundersfoot Rotary President, John Walker-Smith, put on his thinking cap and decided to email the PR department of the AA and ask if any help or advice may be forthcoming from the organisation. It was important to ask if the AA logo could be used in any publication of John’s work and to enquire about any support which may be available. Within three hours a phone call had been received from Tony Rich of the AA. Tony was enthusiastic and perfectly understood the task ahead and readily agreed to help to produce a book of John’s poetry and stories. He said there was no problem using the AA logo on the book and amazingly offered to help financially with the publication. In fact, the AA agreed to fund the whole project. Nothing was too much trouble and it was clear that John’s contribution to the AA over so many years was greatly valued. Talking further, Tony suggested that maybe they could help with a book launch too! Things were going from good to wonderful very quickly! Cherry Evans (PAVS) and her daughter, Seren, took the photocopied poems and stories and willingly re-typed everything word for word, just as John had written it, into a digital format so that the online publisher could create the book.

Friday, September 30 dawned wet and very windy in Saundersfoot but this was the big day and spirits were high! Outside the Regency Hall in Saundersfoot John and Anne, along with friends and supporters, were thrilled to see the arrival of two wonderful classic AA patrol vehicles, one driven by Tony Rich and the other by yet another John! Poet John was presented with his box of books and he enjoyed a brilliant time chatting to the guys from the AA and his old friend, Huw Adams, also a local AA man. Together they recalled happy times and stories from the old days. All four of them definitely have yellow blood running through their veins. John’s wife, Anne, was presented with flowers.

Tenby Memory CafŽ - John Bowyer
(Pic. supplied)

The finale to the afternoon was to drive in convoy around Saundersfoot and the harbour in the old AA vehicles. What a splendid time was had by all, particularly John Bowyer, and it was certainly a day to remember! John has since commented that it was one of the best days of his life and a kind message has been received from Edmund King OBE, the AA President. In his message he stated that Tony and John, who drove the classic AA vehicles, were an absolute credit to the organisation, extolling the original virtues of courtesy and care. He also passed on his personal best wishes to everyone involved in this heart-warming project.

Thanks are expressed to both the Regency Hall for letting guests inside on one of the wettest days of the autumn and to the Harbour Commissioners for allowing the photo opportunity on the harbour.