News

Congratulations to Mr Ray Ross who has just completed his RAB (Ride across Britain)/ LEJOG (Lands End to John O’Groats) Cycle ride over a route of 970 miles.   After months of gruelling training, Ray set out from Lands End, the most westerly tip of England on Saturday 4^th September and after enduring all types of terrain & weather conditions, passed the finish line at John O’Groats, the most northernly tip of Scotland on Sunday 12^th September, nine days later.  In the process raising nearly £6k in aid for the charities McMillan and Christie’s in Manchester.  

Ray and his nephew were inspired to give support to the charities after seeing and experiencing the fantastic work these Organisations do with individuals and their families first hand.   Their original plan was to do the ride together last year, but it was postponed due to the Covid outbreak & unfortunately work commitments this year meant they were unable to do the ride together as planned.  Matt is training to be a pilot with the RAF this year but is now determined that he will do the RAB next year.

Ray said “I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported me……….. It was a tough 9 days but an amazing experience.  If there are any cyclists out there, with a yen to challenge themselves physically and mentally while raising some money for charity then this is definitely something you should consider doing.

A death from cancer cutting a life shorter than it should have been, prompted me to split my giving so Christie's in Manchester would benefit too”

Oswestry & the  Paralympic wheelchair Rugby Team

"You may be pleased to know that the coach and half the wheelchair Rugby team that played and snatched the gold medal from the US team in the Paralympics were treated for their injuries and their multiple complex effects in the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI) at the RJAH hospital in Oswestry.

I am truly delighted that the efforts, perseverance and the dogged determination these athletes have demonstrated rewarded them with such spectacular success. I am equally proud of the contribution the expert and dedicated team of health care professionals of the MCSI may have made towards making such success possible.

I am grateful for the continuing support of the Institute of Orthopaedics to the MCSI and for the assistance provided by the Consultants who have contributed to the management with their expertise."

information kindly provided by Prof W S El Masri FRCS Ed, FRCP

MARY POWELL O.B.E.  - UNVEILED

The Old Oswestrians Club along with the League of Friends, League of Nurses and Oswestry Orthopaedics have commissioned Mr George Triggs, a renowned sculptor based in Oswestry to produce a bronze bust in commemoration of Mary Powell's  life and nursing career, spent careing for and teaching others, here at Oswestry and indeed world wide.

The Bust will be unveiled by Mary's Nephew and Niece at this years  50th Anniversary of the League of Nurses annual meeting on Saturday 10th May 2014.  She will then be re-located to her designated place besides Professor B T O'Connor's Bust in the Insitute of Orthopaedics Lecture Theatre.

BOA  FELLOWSHIPS AWARDED TO MEMBERS - 2012

At this years BOA meeting Professor Mike Wroblewski, Professor Robert Mulholland and Mr Nicholas Barton were all awarded Honorary Fellowships.  Not everyone knows this but all three were trainees  at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital at  the same time IN 1966/67, so it seems appropriate that they should be awarded these fellowships simultaneously.  On behalf of all our members - Well done.

Gwyn Evans retirement celebration - 30th April 2004

The 30th April 2004 was the sad day of Mr Evans retirement. The day began with a valedictory lecture in the afternoon. The lecture theatre was full to capacity, and Mr Evans entertained the crowd with some anecdotes, photographs of familar senior consultants in the 1970's, and a history of Children's orthopaedics at the RJAH.

In the evening, a reception was held at the Lion Quays near Oswestry. Approximately 210 people attended, from as far afield as Belgium, Holland, Portugal, Scotland and Wales! After the meal, Mr Evans was entertained by poems from Bill the Porter and songs from Alan the joiner. Speeches then followed.

Sister Roberts thanked Mr Evans for his work and support over the years. These sentiments were echoed by Mr Andrew Roberts in his speech, along with an explanation that "Gwyn" means "white" in Welsh- apparently a reflection of Mr Evans tanning ability.

Mr Kiely followed, comparing Mr Evans to the sagely character "Yoda" in Star Wars! Mr Evans was then presented with a gift- Office software to help with his retirement hobby. Mr Evans then gave a thank you speech, and reassured us that he will be returning to the Robert Jones for 2 days a week to save him from hard labour on Mary's farm! Finally, the evening was finished with a disco, drinks, and lots of good wishes.

Nigel Kiely

Combined Australian/English meeting - 26th October 2004

There was a small but enthusiastic group of Old Oswestrians'who met at the Australian Club in Sydney on Tuesday 26th October.  This was in the beginning of the Combined English Speaking Orthopaedic Association Meeting.  Many vivid, colourful and well documented experiences and memories were recalled with enthusiasm and serious mirth.

I think that a social meeting such as this should be considered on a more regular basis for large International meetings, when Old Oswestrians can catch up with each other.

Perhaps this could be discussed at the next Annual Meeting in Oswestry in June.

The other more serious issue that was discussed was the apparent change in funding for Australian and other overseas trainees in the future in Oswestry.  This was greeted with concern if not disbelief.  This is a challenge of course for future trainees and the future of Oswestry as an international orthopaedic training institution.

Max Esser, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon