First Lord Lieutenant Award goes to the Lanarkshire WRVS

Sep 2 2010 by Leona Greenan, Hamilton Advertiser

THE first recipients of the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire merit award have been announced.

The award has gone to the Lanarkshire branch of the WRVS at Hamilton’s Udston Hospital and also the members of the voluntary service at Wishaw General Hospital.

The Women’s Voluntary Service came into being in 1938 at the suggestion of Lady Reading.

It was a conception that immediately captured the support of women throughout the country and has grown in great strength over the years through the contribution of countless individuals.

In 1966, Her Majesty the Queen awarded the WVS the honour of adding ‘Royal’ to their title, and so began a new and exciting era for Women’s Royal Voluntary Service - the WRVS.

Lord Lieutenant Gilbert Cox said at the awards ceremony: “I have enjoyed attending so many award ceremonies during my ten years as Lord Lieutenant and I was delighted when Supercounty proposed that the Lieutenancy should have its own formal recognition scheme.

“I believe that the WRVS volunteers throughout Lanarkshire are most fitting recipients of this first Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Award because of their spirit, dedication, morale, faithfulness and commitment they have shown and continue to show.

“Lanarkshire is unique, with two New Towns, traditional towns, market towns and large rural communities, spanning some 859 square miles, with every area demanding a different service from the WRVS.

“These services to the people of the county include Meals on Wheels, Darby & Joan clubs, Good Neighbours and Luncheon Clubs.

“In hospitals, WRVS volunteers assist in cafes and shops, help on the information desks, act as guides for patients and visitors as well as taking part in the 20 emergency service teams who assist the blue light services in the event of a major incident.

“These services are certainly no mean feat!

“The WRVS is unique and very special.”

The Lord Lieutenant made special reference to the contribution by volunteers Stella McLeod from the Hamilton area and May Gentles from Wishaw.

Stella has been a WRVS volunteer for more than 20 years, helping out at the Udston tea bar where she is in charge of the volunteers’ rota and training of new volunteers.

May has been with the WRVS for 15 years, acting as rota keeper for the former Law Hospital café and then moving to Wishaw General Hospital to take charge of the rota of the escort service with more than 52 volunteers who help make sure patients get to their appointment on time.