Janet Bellewes was given a Civic Award in 2004 for her voluntary work with physically disabled adults. The following is an extract from the Wokingham Times: –
“Ninety-seven years old Janet Bellewes, of Palmer School Road, Wokingham, started volunteering at the Westmead Day Centre foir physically disables adults three years ago at the ripe old age of 94. The day centre approached All Saints’ Church in Wokingham to see if they knew of any volunteers who may be able to help and they suggested Miss Bellewes. The plucky pensioner introduced a number of activities at the day centre in Rances Lane including chess, art quilling and scrabble. Sheila Parkin, care activity officer at the Westmead Centre, said: ” I nominated Janet because her help has been really invaluable to both the clients and staff at the centre. “She is a really lovely person and when I told here tghat she had won the award she said how lovely it was to have even be nominated. “She always encouraged clients to participate in games that they might not have been able to before.”
Miss Bellewes was also a school teacher in Wokingham in her earlier years, is currently in Wokingham Community Hospital. She said of her ward that she felt “honoured and privileged” to have been nominated.
Wokingham Town Museum Unique Identifier: WTH0418