Profile Anne Ford

Profile

Anne Ford

Anyone who visited the outpatients department at Addenbrookes between 1970 and 1992 will know Anne Ford – or certainly recognise her. Her calm, kindly professionalism has soothed many a nervous patient.

Anne was born Alianora Anne Catt in 1929 in Erith, Kent. Her father was a tram driver and her mother was what we call today ‘a carer’. She was an unofficial nurse, as was her mother before her. Anne has two sisters and a brother and attended a convent school until the war started, when she was evacuated to Sevenoaks. They quickly realised that living in Sevenoaks was no safer, so it wasn’t long before she returned home and she remembers seeing the German squadrons flying up the Thames to bomb London. The war interfered with her education and she left school at 16 to do two years training as a nursery nurse. Both her sisters were nurses, so it followed that when the Nursery Schools were closed, she began training to be a nurse at the Memorial Hospital in Woolwich.

Although the work was hard, the hours long and the discipline strict, Anne looks back on this time as one of the happiest periods of her life. The nurses lived in and were well looked after. At Christmas everyone was expected to work through, so on Christmas Eve the young girls turned their capes round, red side out, and went round the wards singing carols.

The uniform included a small white triangular hat, blue uniform with long sleeves and stiff white cuffs, white apron, buckled belt and black stockings and shoes. After 3 years of training the hat changed to a slightly larger one with a fold at the front and pleats down the back which had to be resewn every time they were worn. Whilst working on the wards the sleeves were rolled up and covered with a frilled cuff, but for going on the rounds they had to be rolled down. She won an award in 1949 as the Best Practical Nurse!

After finishing her training at Woolwich she went on to do a two year Midwifery Course, at Bromley and then at Croydon, doing home visits. After seeing an advertisement in the Nursing Standard, Anne and a friend took a job in St. Helier, Jersey, a very congenial posting as the island was quite un-commercialised at that time. When the year’s contract was up, they decided to travel to Canada in 1953. They landed in Quebec and then went on to Leamington. Nursing was very different – more friendly but still with the same starchy uniform and discipline. She learned to play badminton and went skiing for the first time. After several months she moved to the Veteran’s Hospital in Winnipeg where the nurses had the privilege of wearing the Queen Alexandra hat – a great white, starched, winged job!

From there she went to Calgary to a hospital run by nuns before returning to Winnipeg to complete a two year course in radio therapy, a then-new treatment. Throughout her time in Canada she took every opportunity of travelling, visiting Vancouver, the north coast and Niagara. In 1957 Anne met her husband-tobe, John, who was stationed in Canada with the RAF training as a navigator. When he returned to the UK she followed in the Queen Mary and in 1957 they were married in Christ’s Church, Erith. They had two sons, Andrew and Paul.

Her godfather, the organist and choirmaster at Christ’s Church, started a group of young bellringers of which Anne was a member and this led her to a lifelong interest in bellringing. She enjoyed church architecture and visited many churches in Kent and Sussex. Her godfather also introduced her to classical music.

John’s squadron was eventually posted to Bruggen in Germany on the Dutch border. It was during the Cold War and a very tense time. But the young couple enjoyed the life with Mess balls and Ladies Dining In nights. He was finally posted to Bassingbourn where he served for 2½ years, before leaving the service, which is how they came to Melbourn.

The transition to civilian life was hard and sadly the couple separated. Anne had two small boys to bring up so she returned to work. In September 1970 she became a Staff Nurse at the new Addenbrookes Hospital. She eventually transferred to the Outpatients Department and spent 22 years moving round the different clinics. She helped to start up the Diabetic Clinic and was often in charge of the departments.

Her sons Andrew and Paul went to school in Melbourn and then onto Hills Road, Andrew went on to University doing Photographic Sciences and after graduating worked at the Home Office. He is married with two children, Thomas and Lucy. When Paul left school he went to work for the

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Thanks to everyone in Melbourn who made this a true two-village event on July 9th. All of the Spice Hut’s free samosas and all of Gocold’s free ice creams disappeared in no time and I hope that everyone who came along had a good time.

A member of the St George’s (Melbourn) Allotment Association has sponsored one of the oak tubs on the station platform, and members helped with providing plants and preparing the new flower and veg garden situated just outside the Spice Hut’s front door.

Melbourn Village College students, supported by a volunteer from the Melbourn Village Plan Steering Committee, came over to the station the day before the Station birthday party to do a massive litter pick of the area adjacent to the Melbourn-side platform.

MVC students have also made bird boxes on request, which are going to go up around the station building, as part of a biodiversity theme tying in with the flower and veg garden.

Melbourn Village History Group have offered to provide frames for a permanent display of historic photographs in the booking office, showing the station early in its history.

The whole purpose of this project has been to make the station look good and to bring people together, but also to further the cause of our campaign points – which are listed on the Melbourn Village website – via the Train Operator and the County Council.

Litter Picking at Meldreth train

On Wednesday 6th July 2011 we went to Meldreth train station to help Susan van de Ven clear up the litter. There was lots of rubbish from cans to sandwich packets and even a broken knife and fire extinguisher. We filled 13 bags of rubbish. Meldreth Primary school have done a good job as well with the vegetable garden. If people can put their rubbish in the bins there are lots of bins around to put rubbish in. The party on Saturday

Callum with MVC volunteers at Meldeth Station

9th July 2011 for the 160th birthday was really good as well there was free ice cream and samosas from the curry take away shop. Representatives from Royston Crow, Royston Weekly News and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire were there to take pictures and interview people who have helped out with making the station look nice for the big day. Thank you to Susan for making the day enjoyable and fun, I had a fantastic time. Thank you, Susan! Callum Jeray of MVC

Forestry Commission in Wales. He also is married with two children, Emma and Richard.

There was another grandchild, Matthew, who was born with a very rare genetic disease whose health unfortunately gradually deteriorated. Anne naturally still finds it hard to talk about this period, but she speaks highly of Hope House where Matthew and the family had respite care. She is full of praise for them and continues to support them.

Anne took up bellringing again at All Saints’. In 1985 as a regular church-goer she became a member of the PCC, (a position she still holds). After retiring in 1992 she was able to follow other interests including serving as a room steward for the National Trust at Anglesey Abbey for 10 years. She joined the Cambridge U3A and studied Egyptology and Church Architecture. She joined the Melbourn branch when it opened, participating in courses in Art Appreciation, Music Group, Gardening and Church Visits.

Anne developed ME after a series of throat infections and was finally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which had troubled her for years. Despite this, her one extravagance is travel, which she has done widely despite her poor health. She has travelled throughout Europe, Oberamergau for the Passion Play, Verona for the Opera. Bosnia (formerly part of Yugoslavia) to see the original bridge at Mostar and has walked the walls of Dubrovnik in Croatia. In Rome she had an audience with Pope John Paul II, whom she said was charismatic. In Prague she found the ‘new’ synagogue very moving, and in Peloponnese and Delphi in Greece, she was able to indulge her interest in archaeology.

A trip to Istanbul sparks very fond memories, Anne visited the little-known Nursing Museum at Scutari. She was moved to see where Florence Nightingale had walked, to see a lantern similar to the one she had carried and to see the inspiration for the ‘Nightingale’ wards widely used in hospitals until quite recently – large open 30 bed wards with a nursing station in the centre, with cubicles and side wards for the seriously ill patients. One of the four turrets of the barracks had been occupied by Florence and her team of 39 nurses – all housed in 3 rooms where many of her belongings are on display. One of Anne’s prized possessions is a prayer book given by Florence to one of her sewing women.

Anne’s younger sister Idena had emigrated to Australia with her family on a £10 ticket in the 50’s. It was always Anne’s ambition to visit them and she finally managed to do so in 1992, on the way stopping off in Singapore. During her visit to Australia she saw the Great Barrier Reef, the Pinnacles in Perth and in Canberra she saw the 2nd largest tapestry in the world made by the women of Australia, which depicts all aspects of Australian life and history. In Adelaide she joined a team of bellringers and spent a morning ringing in four churches before going to ring in the cathedral. She also visited Brisbane and Sidney and on the return journey she stopped over in Hong Kong which she loved.

Battling with her illness Anne in fact made two further visits to Australia. She travelled with her older sister on a family visit and went on to visit New Zealand. The third time was for a family wedding.

Her travels have also taken her to Egypt, China, Cyprus, Russia, Portugal and Jordan. But the trip that made the greatest spiritual impression was her last one, where she went to the Holy Land. She visited all the Holy places, the Paternoster Church, the mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane and she saw The Dead Sea Scrolls. She walked the Via Dolorosa and visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Anne renewed her Baptismal Vows by the River Jordan and was sprinkled with water from the river. The miracle of the visit was that Anne kept well and fit throughout the strenuous programme with no aches and pains.

It is wonderful that Anne has been able to fulfil her dreams in this way, and although the reports of all these travels may seem like the life of Riley, there have been hard times. How lovely that she can now enjoy her grandchildren and indulge her wanderlust.

Where next? Well, to York next year to see the Passion Play and maybe the Danube, and she has never been to Vienna … an indomitable spirit. Keep going, Anne. Mavis Howard

As part of Cambridgeshire Choral Society, we have an exciting programme planned for the coming season. In January 2012 we shall be giving a concert in Cambridge, where the works to be performed are St. Nicholas by Benjamin Britten and Vaughn Williams’ 5 Mystical Songs. We shall then be joining with Ely Choral Society to perform Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius in Ely Cathedral on 31 March. We practise on a Tuesday evening at Meldreth Primary School from 7.30 to 9.30 pm. If you enjoy singing or would like to give it a try, we would be delighted to welcome new members. Our first practice is on Tuesday 13 September and our first combined rehearsal with CCS is Saturday 1 October at Comberton at 1.45 pm. For further information please contact Monica Gillings (262399) or Adrian Jacobs (243224).

Helping with lifts to youth clubs

– without needing to drive!

Melbourn Youth Club, which meets Tuesdays from 7:15–9:30 and is open to any child aged 11–16, will from September be offering lifts to youth club through the kindness of volunteer drivers from Royston and District Community Transport. One missing link in the chain is volunteer escorts for the drivers (this is a legal obligation). Might you be able to help out, by taking a slot or two on the rota? If so please contact Susan van de Ven, Tel 261833, or susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk.

Refresh your wardrobe at our Frock Swap

Tuesday 4th October, 8pm Great Chishill Village Hall Do you have things in your wardrobe which you have loved but which no longer fit/ no longer suit or which you have grown tired of? Guess what, so do we all! Freshen up your wardrobe by swapping those items for some new ones! Tickets are only £7 and include drinks and nibbles. All you have to do is bring between 1 and 10 items, which can include clothes and accessories such as bags, shoes, shawls etc. Clothes should be clean, in good condition and on hangers, and you may bring them to us in advance, or simply bring them along on the night. Peruse our stalls, which will include gifts, cards, handmade bags and jewellery. For more information or to reserve your tickets, please phone Lucie on 01223 870251, or email: frockswap4oct@gmail.com. All Proceeds to Save the Children

Concerts in aid of NSPCC and Childline

Sunday, 18th September at 3.30 p.m. Autumn Benefit Concert in Bourn Church Phoenix Chorale Performing The renowned Cambridgeshire Youth Choir, under the direction of Julian Wilkins, are to perform a selection of music. In aid of the children’s charity, NSPCC, and Bourn Parish Church of St Helena & St Mary. Adults £15 / £5 children 7–15 years; under 7’s free Info & Tickets: 01954 719745 cfm.armstrong@gmail.com or Facebook: NSPCC South Cambridgeshire Branch

Thursday, 22nd September at 7.00 p.m. Celebration NSPCC Dinner for 25th Anniversary of ChildLine Corpus Christi College, Cambridge Ticket £59.50 includes a pre-dinner drink, 3-course meal with wines and coffee. Guest of Honour: Dame Norma Major, DBE Inspirational Speaker: Sue Minto, Head of ChildLine

This benefit dinner is generously supported by Corpus Christi College and co-sponsored by www.localsecrets.com. Interlude Performance by Full Score Luxury Hamper Draw Reservations: Tel: 01223 421103 www.cambridgecollegesupperclub.com

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme

Can we help you? Can we help a relative? Can we help a neighbour? Who does the Scheme help?

The scheme is open to anyone who requests our help including those who live alone or with their families but need the extra support offered by our services. Couples too are most welcome. It is also open to those in sheltered housing, as the scheme offers different, but complementary services. Note: The scheme also offers its services for short periods to cover the temporary absence of relatives who otherwise provide this support.

We offer help with: •

Friendship and support via twice weekly visits and daily phone calls

Ordering and collection of prescriptions

Basic shopping

Collection of pensions

Setting up Lifeline service

Bereavement support

Advice on benefits

Going to the Post Office to pay your bills

Advice on getting repairs done in your home

Arranging transport to the hospital or other appointments

Just coming round for a chat What will it cost?

We do have to make a small weekly charge for the warden’s services. The fee is only £4 per week (a little more for couples). Margo Wherrell (Mobile Warden) on 01763 260966 Mobile: 07935 315497 Email: tigress270549@aol.com Jeannie Seers (Deputy Mobile Warden ) 01763 262651 Mobile: 07808 735066 Email: jeanseers1@ntlworld.com Melbourn Warden Scheme is a registered charity.

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17, Portway, Melbourn, Royston SG8 6EU 17, Portway, Melbourn, Royston SG8 6EU Phone 01945-428757 Mobile 07976-769398Phone 01945-428757 Mobile 07976-769398

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