4:30pm Wednesday 19th November 2008
By Paola Dellafiora
Earlier this month the Abbots Langley Red cross celebrated its 50th anniversary with many of its members receiving long service awards.
The Observer spoke to three ladies who have dedicated years to the group. Among them was member Patricia Hodgins of Bedmond who was honoured for 50 years of service.
Around 70 Red Cross members and supporters gathered in the Manor House sports and social centre this November to celebrate half a century of continuous service in the community of Abbots Langley.
A DVD presentation of photographs and newspaper articles collected over the years showed how active the village’s centre has been.
Mrs Hodgins was presented with a long service medal by the President of Hertfordshire’s Red Cross Brenda Murphy and with a bouquet of flowers by Doctor Peter Tomson a former Medical Officer of the Centre.
Mrs Hodgins, who is still involved with the centre’s fundraising, said: “I’ve enjoyed every part of 50 years. Looking back now the moments I liked the most were being actively involved with the nursing, wealth fare, first aid and the competitions. We used to win lots of competitions.
“One memory that has stuck out the most was helping to bath a needy lady. I was very proud to receive my award. I’m just amazed that I’m still around.”
There was originally a Red Cross Detachment in Abbots Langley in 1936 and at the outbreak of war in 1939, a First Aid post was set up in Henderson Hall and manned for 24 hours a day by members who worked in conjunction with the Ambulance service.
In 1957 the late Ruth Cannon re-started the Red Cross in the village and around a dozen members began training in first aid and nursing.
This Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) was officially registered on November 6 1958.
In the past members ran a tea bar, a music club and a library service in the former Abbots Langley hospital and a trolley shop in Leavesden Hospital until both were closed in 1995.
They have helped in casualty and medical wards at local hospitals and in patient’s homes especially with bathing disabled patients at the request of the community nurses.
Mrs Murphy said: “Our reason to be is to help people in crises. Crises can be in any shape or form and it is our mission to help people help themselves.
“Our skills enable us to respond to any crisis no matter what it is whether it’s something that affects a small family or whether it’s something bigger like flooding, bombings or a tsunami.”
Over the last fifty years, the VADs, who later became the first aid group, have been very active in Abbots Langley, providing First Aid Posts at fetes, shows, sporting events, the Tough Ten Race, the Carnival, The Royal Festival Hall and St Albans Abbey.
The Red Cross Meals on Wheels Service, which is offered to those people who, for what ever reason, cannot cater for themselves, has been delivering hot meals for nearly 49 years and is still up and running twice a week in the village.
The Medical Loan Service in Abbots Langley enables people to borrow essential aids such as wheelchairs and commodes.
Following its re-organisation these aids can now be obtained from centres in Croxley and Bushey.
Mrs Murphy added: “The Abbots Langley centre is very well recognised locally and the contribution that the centre’s organiser Jeanne Johnson has made can not be maximised enough. She has helped keep the centre together and ensures that we are all still working as a team.”
“There are 187 societies around the world signed up to the humanitarian principles and in everyone there are villages just like Abbots Langley with the same sort of people who are friends and who are doing the best job they can to care for the community.
“That is just such a wonderful thought, that millions of volunteers give their time for nothing for their community. That’s a huge thing to be part of.”
Guests to the celebration evening included MP Claire Ward, Chairman of Three Rivers Distrct Council Chris Lloyd and Chairman of the Parish Council Ivy Young.
Mrs Murphy also presented Don Pirie with the Red Cross Badge of Honour for devoted service and Kelly Shrimpton with her Voluntary Medical Services Medal.
Long service medals were also given to Kathleen Turner for 45 years, Pamela Shepherd for 40 years and Stephanie Butler for 30 years.
Centre Organiser Jeanne Johnson said: “We love to welcome new members from every section of community. We aim to be as diverse as possible. We want to get people involved and more aware of what we do so they can use our services more.”
For further information on the Red Cross in Abbots Langley contact Jeanne Johnson on 01923 263 598 or visit www.redcross.org.uk
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