Personal history and background.

Born in Wales during the height of bombing in the Second World War, Alun spent his early years living in the coal mining areas of the Brecon Beacon Mountains. When he was 7 ½ Alun’s parents made the decision that opportunities for their family were much better in America than in the bombed out ruins of Welsh villages. They left Britain aboard the converted Troop ship “Georgic” and arrived at the Port of New York as immigrants in June of 1951.

The family initially settled in Southern Ontario and Alun was educated in Canada, receiving his Bachelor and Master’s degrees from McMaster University in Hamilton. After a brief period of working for the Ontario Government as an Executive Assistant to the Secretary of Housing Alun started his own consulting firm. As owner and President of the Planistics Group, a firm of architects, engineers and town planners Alun traveled throughout the world working on major housing, recreational developments and relief work after major earthquakes in Central and South America.

After selling his interest in the Consulting firm Alun sailed throughout the Carribean for two years on his fifty four foot ketch “Wanderer”. A USCG licensed Captain and designated as a Justice of the Peace by the State of Florida Alun has conducted many marriages both at sea and on land.

In the early 1980’s Alun returned from the sea to make his home in the mountains. Initially in North Carolina and subsequently in central Virginia he established the business now known as Blue Ridge Pottery. This business eventually grew to include many family members and enlarged to include an accommodation business in the beautiful Lydia Valley next to Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

With his varied and interesting background Alun loves meeting new people and delights in his role as a Marriage Celebrant. Alun has been appointed by the State Circuit Court in Greene County, Virginia, to conduct marriages throughout the State.

With his experience in amateur theatre throughout his life Alun has an easy presence in front of an audience and thoroughly enjoys the reading of poems or scripture in the ceremonies he helps customize for couples celebrating their marriage.

Alun looks forward to meeting every couple he joins together in matrimony and to making their ceremony a truly special moment in their lives.