Mrs Jean Craghill and Mrs Dorethea Gell (follows)
Mrs Jean Craghill
On Thursday 29th October, 2015, Mrs Jean Craghill was presented with her British Empire Medal for services to the Irton, Holmrook community by the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria. The ceremony took place at Irton Hall, very applicable given the reason for the nomination!
A gathering of Jean's family and the people who submitted and supported the nominated were all present. The introductions and citation was given by the deputy Lord Lieutenant Mr Eric Robson. In brief the citation referred to all the years Mrs Craghill has sold poppies in the parish of Irton though starting in London during the Second World War. Jean and her husband fostered children for nearly 20 years, vulnerable and challenging children and physically disabled were all cared for. Jean has also cared for a number of elderly people in the community over the years too. Fund raising and supporting events for the parish hall and church and other organisations like the N.S.P.C.C and Mayfield Special School.
The Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Hensman, presented the medal and gave a short speech of congratulation and how well deserved this award was. Pointing out that only 600 of these medals were issued each year.
Mrs Craghill's great granddaughter then read out a thank you on her behalf to the people who nominated her and for the support from her husband, family and friends over the years. Pointing out how touching the award was for her and never expected for the things she had done but that she had always just enjoyed doing them.
The ceremony was followed by a splendid buffet lunch and lots of conversation.
Mrs Dorethea Gell
Isle of Man
Mrs Gell, from Peel, was a district nursing sister and midwife for 34 years from 1953 to 1987 having trained at Noble’s Hospital
She is currently a committee member for Manx Mencap and manager of the Manx Mencap Charity Shop; vice chairman of the Royal British Legion Women’s Section; collector for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
She was also a First Aid instructor with the Red Cross and chairman of the Peel and Western District Anti-Cancer.
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