• Enjoying a celebration tea at the Ryefield Centre, Ruth Nice, WRVS Territory Manager, Pauline Davies Transport Co-Ordinator, Joyce Thomas MBE DL, Christine Orford Club Organiser, Debbie Griffiths Transport Link Co-Ordinator, Clare Price Food Services Manager and Gilly Creo Admin Assistant. The Cake was made and donated by Mrs Pat Jenkins.
Volunteers, local and county wide, together with members of the WRVS Luncheon Club attended the Tea Party at the Ryefield Centre to celebrate the 70th anniversary of WRVS. Joyce Thomas MBE DL welcomed the guests and cut the anniversary cake. The volunteers who attended represented Meals on Wheels, Country Cars, John Kyrle Club and several afternoon clubs county wide. Without these volunteers these vital services would not be available and Joyce Thomas thanked them for giving their valuable time. She said:?"We are here today to celebrate 70 years of the WRVS and I particularly would like to pay tribute to the hundreds of volunteers, together with WRVS employees who help older people get more out of life. They do a magnificent job." In the beginning the WRVS was a way for women to help in the war effort. However over 70 years the organisation has developed significant expertise and skills in providing support to older people and those who are isolated. Meals on Wheels is something many people are familiar with but the WRVS also provides lunch clubs, community transport and day care services. A recent innovation is the good neighbour scheme. If anyone would like to help with any of the WRVS services would they please phone Debbie Griffiths on 01989 567175.