PEOPLE & PLACES
Tony tops his century
Tony Bright of Harvard Close is a registered blood donor and has recently given his hundredth donation of blood for which he has been awarded a special badge and given a Royal Doulton crystal decanter in acknowledgement of his long-standing and generous commitment to the NHS Blood and Transplant service.Tony and his wife Pat first became blood donors 44 years ago when a close friend became seriously ill with kidney disease and needed multiple transfusions. Sadly their friend did not recover but the amounts needed for his treatment made such an impression on Tony that he has continued as a regular donor ever since. On average he has given blood at 4 monthly intervals although at one time, for a period of three years, the Apheresis Unit at his local hospital was calling him in every two months. This was because he had a very good haemoglobin count and Southmead Hospital urgently needed plasma and platelets for kidney transplantation operations.
Tony and Pat moved to Wellesbourne three and half years ago to be nearer to their daughter and son-in-law and especially to their newly born grandson, Jamie.
After living all their married life in South Gloucestershire, this was a big move, but it did not disrupt Tony’s commitment as a donor. When the Brights notified all the usual authorities of their change of address they made sure that they also let the transfusion service know, and since then Tony has attended donor sessions at the HRI. Every time he attends, Tony has to complete a thorough questionnaire before his blood is taken – a procedure which takes about ten minutes, and then he gets given the customary tea and biscuits. He also has a small sample tested to measure the iron level and check that it is safe for him to give blood. As Pat explained, this is quite reassuring – a sort of free health check every time he goes, which could spot any health problems early on. Certainly Tony and Pat could not be more active for as well as helping with their grandson, redecorating their new home and starting now to re-landscape their garden, they are also well involved with many of the clubs and activities in the village. Having made the initial effort to go out and explore what Wellesbourne had to offer, they have been pleased to find plenty to do and a friendly welcome too.
Over the years Tony and Pat have met people who have been helped by the blood transfusion service. We never know when we or a member of our family might need a transfusion to help recovery or save a life. According to NHS statistics only four people in a hundred give up an hour of their time to give a potentially life saving donation of blood – Tony Bright is one of them. If you are interested in becoming a blood donor you only have to call NHS Blood and Transplant on 0300 123 2323 at any time or visit them online at www.blood.co.uk .
AM
Wellesbourne Community Church
Nearly 30 people joined for the first meeting at the Bowls Club. Aided by a great group of musicians, some of whom you can see in the picture, we rocked along to various types of music including some Reggae, so I’m told. We heard a talk by Barry on the centrality of Christ, “Jesus in our midst”, as he put it with power point illustrations. We finished with prayer and more singing. There were occasional technical glitches, which occasioned much laughter in a very relaxed, informal atmosphere.
Interestingly there were 50 hits on the website on Tuesday so perhaps the word is getting about. You can also leave comments on the Facebook page.
Meetings in June are on Mondays 13th and 27th at 7.30pm at the Bowls Club so if you’d like to come along and exercise your tonsils for an hour or so you’ll be sure of a warm welcome.
One man went to mow
In recent years Wellesbourne has been transformed by the activities of the Wellesbourne in bloom volunteers. But to make the flowers and the trees look their best the grass needs to be cut on a regular basis.
This is where John Dobson comes in. John had for many years been cutting the grass outside his house. Then three years ago it was suggested he extend his mowing to include the area around the shops along the Newbold Road/Kineton Road junction. This was quite an increase on his usual mowing but John readily volunteered. At the moment of writing (late April) the drought means there is little to cut except for the dandelions but at peak times in a normal Summer John can be mowing twice a week – quite a commitment. But as he says, the people he chats to during his grass cutting are very appreciative of his efforts, as they are of all the volunteers who make the village look so special.
NLB