Wooler couple receive lifetime achievement award for services to community over more than 50 years

A couple’s services to the Glendale community over half a century have been recognised with a lifetime achievement award.
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Dr Noel Roy and his wife, Janet, have been presented with the Glendale Agricultural Society (GAS) prize awarded annually to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the area.

Dr Roy said: “We are grateful and honoured to receive the award, because it has been given by those who live and work in the place which welcomed us, well over 50 years ago, and which we have grown to love.

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“Medical practice when we came here was still run from home day and night and there was an expectation, made with good humour, that joining in meals on wheels and other local efforts was part of the family job. We followed where others led, made friends and had a lot of fun over the years.

Janet and Noel Roy with their lifetime achievement award from Glendale Agricultural Society (GAS), supported by the Glendale Gateway Trust.(GGT). Also pictured are Lord James Joicey, GAS president, and Patrick Sheard, GGT chairman.Janet and Noel Roy with their lifetime achievement award from Glendale Agricultural Society (GAS), supported by the Glendale Gateway Trust.(GGT). Also pictured are Lord James Joicey, GAS president, and Patrick Sheard, GGT chairman.
Janet and Noel Roy with their lifetime achievement award from Glendale Agricultural Society (GAS), supported by the Glendale Gateway Trust.(GGT). Also pictured are Lord James Joicey, GAS president, and Patrick Sheard, GGT chairman.

“Glendale people have given us generous support, taking on our interest in rural India. Schools, churches and families have raised funds to build a primary school and dairy farm over there, twinned for many years with our first school.

“The farming traditions of Glendale are strong and they were all new to us when we came here. Most of our patients worked in agriculture then and our medical practice was just one of many small organisations supporting it.

"We had a lot to learn: home visiting played a large part in general practice in those days and we got to know a lot of farming families and individuals very quickly.

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“Local doctors had to be on hand in the medical tent at Glendale Show every year, so for me it was always one of the events of the year.

"Nowadays I enjoy the company of old friends in the horticultural tent, another reason to take pleasure in this award and to look forward to the next show.”

Dr Roy has also been heavily involved in Wooler Drop-in Centre for many years, while Janet was a long serving committee member of the local Save the Children.

They were presented with the award, which is supported by the Glendale Gateway Trust (GGT), by GAS president Lord James Joicey and GGT chairman Patrick Sheard.

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Lord Joicey: said: “On behalf of the whole community, I would like to thank Noel and Janet for all of their commitment, involvement and generosity over the years.

"Every response we received indicated the huge impact the pair have had on the lives of people in our community, and in particular, their active care to those who are elderly, or sick or isolated has proved especially noteworthy.

“This year has been so difficult for so many people and we are absolutely thrilled to be able to present this award to two people who are so noted and valued within Glendale, and end this year on a much deserved high for them and their family.”

The GAS Lifetime Achievement Award was first awarded in 2017. Winners since then include Tommy Swan, Susan Burston, Chris Leyland MBE (awarded posthumously), Michael Aitchison and Bunt Morton.

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