Presentation by St John Ambulance to Oswestry Cambrian Rotary

Oswestry Cambrian Rotary have introduced the opportunity to have ‘hybrid’ meetings by combining a post Covid face-to-face meeting and an option for members to join via Zoom

Mike Lade from Oswestry Cambrian Rotary said, “We had seven members join us remotely from their homes, including one from Lincolnshire and another from France to hear this week’s speaker.

“Members were fortunate to hear from David Davies who was representing the Oswestry branch of St John Ambulance and we had a talk on the history of St John Ambulance, what the Order is doing in modern times and how the local Oswestry Branch is expanding and what their current needs are.

“The roots of the service can be traced back to original Order of St John in 1540 and the Knights Hospitallers to the modern day. According to Wikipedia, St John Ambulance Association was set up in 1877 by the Venerable Order of Saint John to teach industrial workers first aid so that they could provide on-the-spot treatment in emergencies. Workers rarely had ready access to a doctor in 19th-century workplaces and since accidents were frequent, death or disability from injuries was common. St John Ambulance set up training sessions across the country, particularly in workplaces in areas of heavy industry, but also villages, seaside towns and suburban areas.

“In 1887, trained volunteers were organised into a uniformed Brigade to provide a first aid and ambulance service at public events. In many parts of England (and in parts of Scotland, until 1908), St John Ambulance was the first and only provider of an ambulance service right up to the middle of the 20th century, when the National Health Service was founded. When there were far fewer doctors and hospital beds than today, St John Ambulance nurses looked after the sick and injured in their own homes.

“The organisation has evolved into what it is today, where St John Ambulance can be seen providing First Aid at public events to being on the streets supporting the NHS Ambulance Service with Community Responders and even trained ambulance technicians and ambulances.

“The local Oswestry branch is in desperately in need of a youth leader to look after the youngest group of young people (age 7-10years) in the Badger Section. If anyone is able to fill this role for the pent-up demand, then please contact David Davies on david.davies@sja.org.uk.
They are also seeking funds in several areas from purchasing casualty make-up kits to simulate wounds and injuries to purchasing a new vehicle to take the unit forward. If any Oswestry businesses can support their fund raising, then please contact David to discuss.”

The Oswestry Cambrian Rotary is ready to welcome individuals and couples of 18+ from the local community who want to be “people of action”. We meet face-to-face at The Wynnstay Hotel, Church Street, Oswestry on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm and meet in the bar. Alternatively, people can join the meeting from wherever they are via our Zoom account connection.

For more information on what their new style of Rotary has to offer contact Mike Lade on 01691 570917, info@oswestrycambrianrc.co.uk or see www.oswestrycambrianrc.co.uk. Also you can find them on Facebook @oswestrycambrianrc.