Anita's 65th Birthday Bash - 2nd August 2025

Dear Anita

Please share this blogspot with All Your Global Friends & Relatives,

and All those who attended your fabulous

Birthday bash yesterday,

Saturday 2nd August 2025

Blog Link - https://allanrooke.blogspot.com/

THANK YOU

Just a quick 'Thank You' for inviting Betty & myself to your great 65th birthday bash which we all certainly enjoyed.

It was also great meeting some of your new friends.

The food was delicious with drinks flowing, and what a wonderful party it was.

I do not need to say much as I have added photographs sent by Paul, Lisette, myself and a few others.

Thank you all for sharing your photos.

(P.S. Sorry there will be some duplicates as

several cameras were working overtime) !!!

All told the photos tell the full story.

Happy Birthday with Love

Benny & Betty

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PAUL ROGERS SPEECH - VIDEO CLIP

(Sorry too much noise in the room - speech hard copy below)

PAUL ROGERS WROTE:-

Good evening, everyone!

Now, if you’re sitting here wondering how someone as elegant, sharp, and suspiciously youthful-looking as Anita could possibly be turning 65 — you’re not alone. Some of us are still trying to check her birth certificate. But here we are, and what a privilege it is to be part of this celebration.

Anita has brought us together as her special friends — and let’s face it, she has excellent taste. Not everyone made it tonight, and while we’re definitely missing a few familiar faces, they’re very much with us in spirit (and probably relieved they dodged having to make a speech).

There is one absence that weighs more heavily than the rest — Allan. He may not be sitting at the table, but we all know he’s here in a thousand small ways: in the stories, in the laughter and keeping a gentle eye on Anita

Anita feels his absence deeply, and so do we — but I think we can all agree he’d be delighted to see her surrounded by such warmth (and decent curry).

Because that’s what tonight is about — good company, heartfelt conversation, laughter that might get a little too loud, and a solid meal that hopefully didn’t come out of a microwave.

So let’s make this evening a proper celebration — not flashy, not fussy, just full of everything that really matters. And now, please join me in raising a glass…

To Anita — for all that she is, and all that she continues to be, to those who love her. Anita I know for sure never forgets kindness.

Cheers to many more!

Happy Birthday, Anita!

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ANITA WROTE:-

My heartfelt gratitude

A special thank you to some amazing friends who made my birthday truly unforgettable.

Betty – your luxurious and stunning cake wasn’t just a dessert, it was a masterpiece. Every bite was filled with the love and care you put into making it. You truly spoiled me.

Adelaide – your beautiful flower arrangements filled the room with colour, fragrance, and joy. Every bloom felt like a warm hug from you & Gill.

To the photographers – thank you for capturing the smiles, the laughter, and the moments I’ll treasure forever. You’ve given me memories I can hold onto for years to come.

To Paul a big thank you for chauffeuring us around & the lovely speech 😎

And Benny – your ukulele birthday song was such a joyful surprise. It added a personal, happy note to the celebration that I’ll never forget.

I’m so blessed to be surrounded by such thoughtful, talented, and loving friends xx

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Just a few thoughts to share with you…

Thank you for making my birthday so special, an evening I will always treasure.

Your thoughtful gifts were beautiful, however it was your presence, your laughter, and your warmth that truly filled my heart. Happy people are contagious!!

I missed my Allan more than words can say, yet I felt him in every smile, every shared memory, every burst of joy that was in the restaurant yesterday, generated by each of you.

I also missed my family and a few dear friends who couldn’t be there, but I held them close in my thoughts. An opportunity for another event when all can make it, especially my adorable sister 😃

As the saying goes, ‘The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been, and the memories we’ve made along the way.’

Last night, we wove another thread into the tapestry of our friendship—one stitched with laughter, kindness, and memories that time can never fade.

Thanks for all your kindness, means a lot to me. God bless you.

Anita 💕 03/08/25

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LISETTE WROTE:-

Good morning Anita,

Hope you've fully recovered after your fabulous party! I just wanted to say a huge thank you for including us ... we had such a brilliant time. Wonderful company, a fantastic menu, spot-on service and a few cheeky G&Ts... what more could anyone want?

Your generosity was incredible and you, the birthday girl, looked absolutely stunning in that pretty pink ... you definitely stole the show!

I'm sure your lovely Alan was looking down, raising a glass and cheering, "Go girl!" and probably muttering, "Why on earth hasn't Benny tuned that guitar?"

Much love and thanks again from us all 8.

Lisette