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Dear Peter,

Well done on an excellent article in the latest Ffestiniog Magazine. 

I did want to correct your comment that Roelf van Wyngaardt actually accepted a job at the Apple Express in Port Elizabeth.  He actually went down, looked at the opportunity and decided not to go.  The first we heard about it was when Lukas Nel contacted us to say he was at a loose end and needed somewhere to live.  Of particular importance was the fact he needed a home for his parrot  and he specifically wanted to live on a farm.  On Lukas’ recommendation we provided him with a cottage and he currently potters around acting as an official tour guide from time-to-time, and advising the youngsters on various aspects of Steam Technology.

I honestly see little point in you banging on about the fact that we poached  him.  He is a very elderly gentleman and he has gone far past the point where he could build  5 locos.

This is the second time I have written asking you to please desist from creating the impression  that we are guilty of head hunting your staff.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Yours sincerely,

Wilfred E. Mole
Sandstone Heritage Trust