TWO WORCESTERSHIRE ladies have been recognised for their inspiring work in the community in a national competition run by home care company Home Instead.
90-year-old Edna Milton from Redditch was recognised for her wonderful work back in the 1980s campaigning for the Borough to have its own hospital.
She took a local petition to Downing Street, sharing the community’s call for a new local hospital. The petition was successful and soon after the Alexandra Hospital was born and began playing a crucial part in the area.
101-year-old Barbara Waller from Alvechurch was recognised for her remarkable work teaching people the history of the local area.
Published in 2000, Barbara co-authored ‘Alvechurch, 1920-1960: A snapshot of Village Life in Words and Pictures’. The book explores the history of the village, including images to show readers how the streets of the area once looked.
Edna’s purple plaque was positioned in Manchester next to a plaque commemorating Emmeline Pankhurst, the founder of the suffragette movement. As a campaigner herself, Edna was delighted to see her name next to one of the most famous campaigners of them all.
Barbara’s purple plaque was erected in Camden in London adjacent to Charles Dickens’ plaque. Like Dickens, Barbara has made a difference in the literary world and will leave a great legacy.
Gemma Allbutt, the registered manager at Home Instead Redditch, said: “I am so happy to shine the light on the wonderful older people that we have the privilege to be around. Too often we don’t see the achievements of older people, and it’s about time we changed that!”
Edna said: “I am very proud of the work I have done for my community over the years and I’m very grateful to receive this purple plaque to commemorate this.”
Barbara added: “It is a wonderful campaign, and I am so pleased to be a part of it!”
Visit https://www.homeinstead.co.uk/redditch-bromsgrove/ for more information.
