Royal British Legion (Henley branch)

FOLLOWING an extremely successful afternoon tea in the beautiful surroundings of Greenlands to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day, the Royal British Legion Henley Branch’s September talk and lunch reverted to the Menza Café at Henley Rugby Club.

Our speaker was Dr Jim McWhirter, who was a much-respected GP in Nettlebed for many years and whose excellent reputation preceded him, meaning that the lunch was sold out very quickly.

After retiring from general practice Jim had trained in caesarean surgery and made annual visits to Uganda with the Rotary club charity as a volunteer assisting in remote rural areas.

He gave a fascinating insight into the difficult conditions under which he and colleagues worked together with local doctors and surgeons.

Often life-saving procedures were carried out in very poor conditions with basic equipment.

It was interesting to see how run-down “huts” and conditions were gradually converted into updated buildings with more essential and modern equipment provided by the Rotary club over the years that Jim travelled to Uganda. Work is still very much ongoing. We were left with a greater
appreciation of the NHS despite its current difficulties but an overwhelming sense of loss for old-fashioned family GPs.

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 9 at the Menza Café. Talk and two-course lunch with coffee/tea is £18.

Our talk will be “The Kenton Theatre — Past, Present and Future”, given by Tara Macleod, chair of trustees, and Lottie Pheasant, manager at the Kenton.

For more information, visit www.rbl-henley.org or email henleyonthames.secretary@
rbl.community

Karen Grieve, Royal
British Legion Henley, event organiser