Herefordshire Red Cross celebrate 100 years

2:37pm Friday 8th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

IT was forecast to be the wettest day of the year and, with a month’s rainfall in a day, it certainly lived up to expectations.

But that didn’t dampen the spirits of more than 7,000 Red Cross volunteers, staff and friends who were off to party to mark the British organisation’s 100th birthday.

Wonderful hats, glorious dresses, morning coats and smart suits were the order of the day as people arrived by bus, coach, car and foot to the very special venue – Buckingham Palace.

The Red Cross had been invited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the granting of a Royal Charter at the home of their Patron, the Queen.

Now, although probably most visible for their charity shops and for their presence at many public events to administer first aid, the British Red Cross is actively involved in a great range of work across the country.

In Herefordshire, as elsewhere, there are dozens of people who devote their time to a range of works, from educational projects in schools to helping trace lost loved ones, to providing transport around far-flung communities as well as hands-on support when needed.

To mark the anniversary, and because it’s Land Rover’s 60th anniversary this year too, the company donated 60 all-terrain vehicles to help the Red Cross respond to disasters and emergencies both at home and overseas.

The vehicles – a mixture of Defender, Discovery and Freelander models – were arranged in the form of the Red Cross flag in the quadrangle of the Palace where the crowds could see them as they queued for entrance.

The Rifles Band and Maidenhead Concert Band played throughout the afternoon as guests in sensibly provided Red Cross clear plastic ponchos enjoyed cucumber sandwiches, chocolate cake topped with icing crowns and cups of special blend Garden Party tea.

The gardens were explored, stories swapped and shared, old friends reunited and new ones made before the coaches headed to the four corners of the country, with their tired but happy passengers.

For the Herefordshire contingent it was a day to remember.

And, said one, there’ll be lots of these plastic ponchos swishing around the county in the rain this summer. “It’ll be like a secret sign so we can know that we were all there.”