ROGER JEFCOATE AWARDED TITLE OF SERVING BROTHER OF THE ORDER OF ST JOHN

Roger in countryman mode.  In addition to his huge charitable commitments he is a great expert on trees and aboriculture in general.  This picture is courtesy of the Woodland Trust http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/ 

Along with the New Year Honours List, see previous post, it has also come to my notice that Liveryman Roger Jefcoate CBE has recently been appointed Serving Brother of the Order of St John. 

This is for his tremendous support in fundraising and training volunteers for St John Ambulance in his home county of Buckinghamshire. 

Roger is probably better known for his work on control systems for severely disabled people and his involvement in a wide range of charities that help the severely disabled. Some of his most recent ventures have been to co-found ME Research UK ( www.meresearch.org.uk/ ) in 1999 and Cancer and Bio-Detection Dogs ( www.cancerdogs.co.uk/ ) in 2007. The breadth of his activities and committed involvement is quite amazing. 

At the same time he provides assistance and advice to the Drapers' Company charitable effort as well as running seminars for charities to assist them in making grant applications.

An indefatigable human being with a passion for helping others.  His most recent award is richly deserved.

ST JOHN AMBULANCE: A NEW DRAPER AFFILIATION

Nicholas Anstee, the last Lord Mayor, suggested that livery companies might wish to adopt St John Ambulance Cadet Units, see www.sja.org.uk/ for further information.  Because of our increasing involvement with the Harold Hill community it has been agreed that the Company's name be linked to to the Harold Hill Division. Also the division will be more closely associated with Drapers' Academy.

Freeman Jeremy Bromfield MBE, who is exceptionally well known to generations of Bancroftians as he was at the school from 1978 until recently - and still hasn't really left - will act a Company liaison.

Incidentally, he is also working on a new version of the history of Bancroft's School.  This follows on from the late liveryman Kevin Wing's book of some thirty years ago.  He is aiming to publish in time for the school's 275th anniversary in 2012.   Quite a challenge but I am sure Jeremy will rise to it.

Past Master Stephen Foakes, who among many other voluntary commitments, is St John Ambulance Area President for North East London, has been keeping a close watch on the project.

To complete the picture his son, liveryman Tom Foakes, is curator of the recently opened Museum of the Order of St John in Clerkenwell.  It has started well.  Go and see www.museumstjohn.org.uk/ where you may wish to note the very positive review by the Evening Standard of earlier this month.