A Community Says "Thank You!"

For thirty-six years Jessie Colquhoun has been one of the District Nurses who have cared for this community. In February, she retired, and on Saturday she was honoured in a special event at the Community Centre.

Gifts are hardly enough to say 'Thank you' for all Jessie has done for us. It isn't just that she has reacted when we've had a medical problem; her view of nursing always seems to have been much more pro-active so, in the very best traditions of the service, she has always cared for us even when we've been well.

Pat MacPhail and Alayne Cameron presented her with the gifts, which included a laptop and a camera, with all the trimmings.

The cake was appropriately decorated, particularly when we remember that much of the emergency equipment which Jessie carried with her when she was called out - often at night, in terrible weather, and to places only accessible in a 4x4 - was bought with her own money - such is the state of the modern NHS.

Jessie is seen here cutting the cake, with Nan MacLachlan watching on. The cake was made by local cake-maker Lynne Prewett.

Jessie's reputation extends well beyond our small community. She was Scottish Nurse of the Year in 2009, and she was one of four delegates who recently went to see Nicola Sturgeon at Holyrood. While the resident community has particular reason to thank Jessie for her dedication to her profession, many visitors also have cause to thank her for all she has done.

'Thank you!" can be said in many ways. Here the church choir is accompanied by a band led by Simon Topham, one of our local doctors.

The children from the community also sang for her, as did Moira Fisher and Catriona MacMillan, and speeches were given by Rosie Curtis, as Chairman of the Community Council, and Sue Cameron.

The event ended with dancing. Jessie, who is a fine dancer, is seen in the dark dress to the left of the picture.

Jessie continues to work for the community - she is one of the Emergency Responders who have taken over the 999 side of the job she used to do.

Many thanks to Ritchie Dinnes for the pictures.