Edith Cavell festival celebrates Norfolk’s great heroine
Edith Cavell festival at Swardeston
Edith Cavell festival at Swardeston, on the 98th anniversary of her execution during the Great War. Nick Miller as Ezra Parr giving visitors a guided tour of the village as it was in the Cavells day. Photo: Bill Smith
Mark Shields Sunday, October 13, 2013
8:05 PM
The life of one of Norfolk’s great heroines was celebrated by villagers from her birthplace and visitors from around the world at a weekend of events.
Saturday marked 98 years since the death of nurse Edith Cavell by firing squad, after she was found to have helped some 200 soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium during the first world war.
The occasion was marked by an Edith Cavell festival in Swardeston, which included an exhibition of memorabilia, talks, fancy-dress guided tours of the village and even a presentation by a descendant of one of the men saved by the heroic nurse.
Robert Tunmore is the second cousin, once removed, of Sgt Jesse Tunmore, of the 1st Norfolks, who was helped to cross the border into Holland by Edith Cavell in August 1914 after he was captured by the Germans.
The 53-year-old, who is a nurse in London, has begun a project to unite the descendants of the ‘Cavell 200’ and to raise funds for the Cavell Nurses Trust, which supports nurses in need.
Review disabled children's support, says commissioner
The government said that spending on disability benefits was higher than the EU average
Ministers are being urged to review care provided for children with disabilities following research into the adequacy of support for families.
Children’s commissioner for England Maggie Atkinson called the findings “heart-rending” and “disturbing”.
The report suggested some families were unable to afford basic necessities for “a dignified life”.
The Department for Work and Pensions said the report contained “a small sample, presenting a partial picture”.
The study, carried out by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) for the children’s commissioner, found evidence that poverty meant some disabled children were not living lives that met international human rights standards.
Ms Atkinson said the research findings were “not an easy read”.
Could you be a voice for carers?
Are you someone who knows what it’s like to be a carer and wants to get involved and help change things? If so, you could be interested in being a carer representative. We are looking for new members to represent carers at carer involvement forums and specialist groups in Bristol and South Gloucester shire. Carers Support Centre will provide ongoing support and training, and expenses are paid. For a friendly and informal chat contact Debbie Fear on 0117 958 9989.
http://www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk/could-you-be-a-voice-for-carers/
