Fish Scheme Marks 50 Years

The Haddenham Fish Scheme celebrated its 50th Anniversary for all its current and previous volunteers with a tea Party held in the hall at Haddenham Community Infant School on Sunday 28th May.

Leaders Jeanne Watt and Alison Green gave the large group of guests a potted history of the Scheme and some of the notable benefits that it has provided to the Haddenham community since its inception in 1973 — the envy of many other villages.

Jeanne offered her sincere thanks to everyone who had contributed as box coordinators and drivers for the scheme, some of whom had been involved from the very earliest times and continued to play a role to the present day. She also paid sincere thanks to all those responsible for helping to host the tea party.

Tim Mozely gave formal thanks to Jeanne and Alison for spearheading the Scheme so ably for many years and his vote of thanks was very enthusiastically endorsed by everyone present.

Attendees enjoyed a delightful spread of sandwiches and cakes, and were very professionally entertained by Daria and Nonna — two young Ukrainian refugees who came to Haddenham as a result of the Russian invasion of their homeland, and have remained in the village while completing their studies.

Pictured cutting the celebratory cake (left-to-right) are: Jeanne Watt, Freda Dorell, Christina Jeffery, Di Franklin, Alison Green and Tim Mozely.

Lots more photos to enjoy here

Some Facts & Figures:

• The Fish Scheme originated in Oxford, and was the creation of Dr. Donald Richards and Rev. Derek Eastman
• It was soon being copied all over the UK and was also introduced into the U.S.
• Our Haddenham Scheme was set-up in 1973 by Dick Curtis and Heather Handfield-Jones
• By 1981 the Haddenham Fish Scheme was providing about 300 journeys each year, and this has increased to over 1400 in 2019!
• The Fish Scheme's initial handful of drivers has now grown to over 80
• And the many destinations now include hospitals, medical centres, dentists, opticians, hairdressers, physios and shops.
• In 2020, as the country faced the global pandemic, the Haddenham Fish Scheme provided a vital lifeline to its clients.
• And got them safely to their urgent medical appointments during the 'lockdowns',
• The Fish Scheme also organised phone and shopping buddies for isolated people
• And supported the pharmacy by delivering hundreds of prescriptions