The Melville Club

Well at long last we have sunshine !!. Hopefully you all have enjoyed & read my articles on behalf of the Melville Club over the last 5 years.

As from this AGM another member of the Melville Club will now write about our news & views. I bid you farewell & thank-you for your support. We certainly had some highs & lows over the last 5 years.

I would like to sincerely express my sincere thanks to St. Mary’s Parish Editor & Margaret Leach for all the help, guidance & patience.

Melville Club Annual Membership Due:- 1^st May 2024

We have been able to hold the £12.00 annual subscription. If any readers would like to join or re-join then please complete & forward back to the Secretary or Treasurer. Thank-you for your support.

AGM:- 15^th May 2024

Our AGM was held on Wednesday 15^th May & at the time of printing the changes will be recorded in the next issue of the Parish Magazine. Please watch this space as there will be some changes.

Golden Years in the Melville Club

Mrs. Niccy Cottle is holding ‘The Melville Club “Golden Years” every Tuesday from 13.00 to 15.00 for light entertainment & light refreshments. You do not need to be a member of the Melville Club to attend. You never know you may enjoy yourself !!

Interested:- ring Niccy on 07449 167116.

Part 5:- Dr ‘Melville’ Legge {Melville} – The Family Doctor

David James Melville Legge was born in Dundee, Scotland on the 17^th February 1881. His father Alexander was a Minister in the Church of Scotland & his mother’s name was Isabella. Melville firstly qualified as a Dentist in 1905 at the Royal College of Surgeons in East Fife. In 1906 he qualified as a Physician as LRCS & P, LDS {Royal College of Surgeons}. In 1910 he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. He worked in Stanhope, Co, Durham as a family Doctor for 3 years.

He arrived in Albrighton around 1913. Married Constance Rosemary Garnett-Botfield in 1915 at St. Georges in Hanover Square, London. As well as a family Doctor in Albrighton he was a Dr at the Workhouse in Park St, Shifnal from 1915 & instrumental in creating the Shifnal Cottage Hospital in 1939. By 1965 he had a 32-bed geriatric ward at Shifnal Hospital named after him in honour of his work at the Hospital.  He joined the RAMC {Royal Army Medical Corps}, just after WW1 broke out & was posted to the war zone in France in May 1915 as a medic & surgeon.

He worked part-time at Hatton Grange {VAD} from April 1915 to 1918. Dr. Legge retired on the 5th April 1965 after 54 faithful years’ service to Albrighton & surrounding area’s as our GP. On 31^st May 1968 Dr. Legge was presented to Princess Margaret. The Princess was visiting St. Marys & Rev Coleman presented him to Princess Margaret noting that Dr. Legge “ Represented the spirit of this village’, he was 87 at the time & still working as the local GP.  Dr. Legge died on the 26^th October 1974.

Thank-you to John Stretton for all his help & assistance. Anyone know a ‘Cow called Stanley’ ??

Friends of Albrighton:- Sponsored by ‘Home Instead’

Siobhan Davies is holding ‘Friends of Albrighton’ with future meeting{s} for 7^th & 21^st June & 5^th & 19^th July, all at 14:00 to 16:00. We offer Tea/Coffee, cakes etc & activities. Melville Club members & guests welcome.

This facility is for you to enjoy:- Ring Siobhan {07903 175997}.

Support your Melville Club Flyer Service

This operates as a Community Transport Scheme facility offering local door to door transport at subsidised fares to Full Memberships on Mondays to Fridays between 09.00 & 16.00hrs. Requests outside of these timeframes will be considered on an individual basis by the driver who can be contacted on Ken:- 07543 869754.

Disabled passengers with wheelchairs & electric trollies can be accommodated. Alternately £6 PA for Bus Memberships for those only wishing to benefit from the Melville Club Flyer Service. Registration forms are available from Ken, the driver…. Use it or lose it.

To book, call Ken:- 07543 869754.

Mandy: Committee Chairman: Mob: 07817 417314
Richard: Committee Member: Mob: 07889 573306.