Mercy Ships UK

I had the pleasure of meeting Terry Harrison of Melbourne just before Christmas and he told me all about his involvement in an amazing Charity called Mercy Ships.
I have copied their website front page for you to read a taster about their work. I hope you want to find out more so please look them up at www. Mercyships.org.uk and maybe you will be moved to donate.
Terry talks passionately about the work done onboard the ships with lifesaving and enhancing surgery and healthcare.
It is great to meet such committed people. We are so lucky to have people who care so much about other’s lives living here in South Derbyshire.
Mercy Ships UK
Mercy Ships UK is a charity registered in the United Kingdom and governed by a Board of Trustees. The UK Office, based in Stevenage, is part of a global network of offices whose mission is to raise awareness and support for the work of Mercy Ships through fundraising, volunteer recruitment and the procurement of materials and services.
UK Board of Trustees
Lord McColl CBE (Chairman)
Lord Anderson
Suzanne Avery
Henry Clarke
Ruth Guy
Terry Harrison
Jim Paterson
Don Stephens
Dr Keith Thomson (Vice Chairman)
UK Patrons
The Rt Hon John Major CH
Dame Norma Major DBE

Give Blood

Today, 4th December, I joined over 160 other local people in giving blood at Swadlincote Church Hall.

The National Blood Transfusion service regularly use this venue and have a great turnout.

The Nurses will take you through the registration process calmly and thoroughly, at any time that you want to back out even when you are hooked up they reassure you and make you feel you are in charge.

It was an uplifting experience to be part of something that makes our society so special. Individuals, teams from local businesses, all ages and sexes were there.

Look at The National Blood Service - do something amazing give Blood
The National Blood Service web site, do something amazing today - give blood and save a life.


In the run up to the Festive season please see if you can do something, to give a little back, to help keep operations on the NHS running smoothly by giving blood.

It was the most rewarding hour of my day today.

Charles Edward Stuart Society

RE-ENACTMENT AT SWARKESTONE BRIDGE

For a number of years now the Charles Edward Stuart Society have re-enacted a battle that local history says took place at Swarkestone Bridge around the 6th of December 1743. Bonnie Prince Charlie and his forces got as far as the Bridge just south of Derby and lost a skirmish against Government troops. The Duke of Devonshire raised a battalion called the Derby Blues and after the skirmish a meeting was held at Essex House in Derby and the Prince decided to return up north.

The re-enactment was great fun, a good crowd came to watch and I am grateful to Peter Herbert (in the photo) for kindly inviting me along.

I’ll remember the day for a long time and should anyone else come and try and take over our land I think we in South Derbyshire will be ready and able to fight them off successfully again.