In memory of Brenda Bell

Many former pupils of Morpeth’s Abbeyfields School will remember one of their teachers Mrs Brenda Bell who died almost a year ago. Brenda was the wife of George Bell, himself a former lecturer who was also a Past District Governor and member of Morpeth Lions Club. The two of them were regular attendees of Lions conventions all over the world and so Lions played a large part in their lives.

In Brenda’s will she left £1000 to the Lions Club and whilst not specifying how it should be spent, knew the Club would put it to good use. The Club therefore decided it would be fitting that Abbeyfields School benefitted.

Liaising with the school, Lions Les Brindley and Les Sage ascertained that plans were afoot to improve the school playground. In particular it was hoped that a canopy could be attached to the North Hall that would protect both the children when they were playing and the parents when waiting – if the weather was inclement.
In addition, Les Brindley refurbished a public bench that now bears a commemorative plaque in memory of Brenda.

Recently, Lion President Margaret Trewick and other Lions Club members visited the school to present a cheque for £1000 to the Chair of ‘The Friends of Abbeyfields School’, Rebecca Pearson in the presence of Head Teacher Sandra Ford, soon to retire teaching assistant Helen Briggs and a number of the school children who tried the bench out for size.

Lion President Margaret recalled her memories of Brenda and George and looked forward to taking up the invitation to see the canopy once it is installed.

Mrs Ford said ‘The school is extremely grateful to the Lions Club of Morpeth for this donation which will help bring forward the installation of the canopy. Brenda was a much loved teacher here and it is wonderful that her name on the bench will perpetuate her memory’.

Photos: (R-L) Morpeth Lions President Margaret Trewick hands the Brenda Bell legacy cheque to Rebecca Pearson – Chair of The Friends of Abbeyfields School watched by teachers and children from the school together with members of the Lions Club of Morpeth.

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