The three elders of the Britton family were the focal point for younger relatives at their Labour Weekend reunion in Wanganui.
The elders (above, from left, with the family) are Jean, Harold and George - the surviving siblings from Edwin John Britton's 14 children.
One of the organisers of thespur-of-the-moment reunion was Willy Greville, Arthur Britton's partner. She said the family had been together often recently for funerals and thought it was time they met for a happier occasion.
They chose Wanganui because that was the Britton family base in New Zealand, and they chose Churton School because it had everything they needed and cost just $150 to hire for the weekend.
The 100-plus people at the reunion slept in tents, caravans, cars and buses and used the kitchen, showers, toilets and outdoor play equipment at the school.
Many of them are involved in the Brittons Housemovers business.
Ms Greville said the reunion had a bouncy castle for the many children, a barbecue, and there was dancing in the hall on Friday and Saturday nights. The families also planned to visit graves at the Heads Rd and Aramoho cemeteries, and two houses where Britton families had lived.
The best thing was just meeting everybody, Ms Greville said. "We've had a really good time."
