Junior NJR calling...

Evenin' all,

I'm James, the/your new Junior NJR for geebeejaybee, elected two weeks ago today. Yes, as Louisa said, I was actually in Congo when it happened, and yes I was the last to know about my own election, but when I did find out I was pretty damn happy - the picture you see is of the moment I got the news, on the side of a mountain by Lake Tanganyika!

For that, I'd like to thank firstly the wonderful NJBF, its truly an honour to be able to do this and it will be a real pleasure to work with you beautiful people over the next two years.

The other BIG thanks goes to Lizzie and Louisa, who worked out and arranged for me to take part in the election even from far away, and for that I am of course extremely grateful. Moreover, a massive thanks is due to Lizzie who I have seen has been phenomenal in the last two years - if I'm honest I'm even a little scared of her, and her massive dedication, innovation and huge spirit! Thanks a lot, and don't worry I'll leave you alone.

Not to say of course, that Louisa hasn't been great, and I'm very much looking forward to tee hee fun times. We had our first meeting today, and you'll be glad to know I'm getting on board steadily with what's going on, though there's still a lot to grasp. We covered quite a lot of ground in the meeting, but I reckon she'll be much better at filling you in on what's going on. I would also like to make it clear that I neither support nor discourage the continuation 'Joonz' in reference to Louisa, and remain neutral, neither using it but also not stopping others.

Lou made me mushroom soup with breadrolls which was surprisingly yum given it glooped out the TescoTin in one mmmm. She's got a lovely room (the biggest in the house of course, well done on that), and I'm now a bit jealous, as I'm about to move into college rooms with about 2000 rules... like boarding school, but slightly older children.

I hope to see you soon, at NJB day next Saturday in Leeds, or at one of the weekends - 18+, S.M.I.L.E.(JBtraining), Year 7/8, 9/10 or NJBF. Any details you need, please email us, njr@gb.cisv.org or james.pattinson@gb.cisv.org

Thanks for bearing with me,
James, Junior NJR Great Britain