Hughenden Valley

12:28pm Thursday 28th March 2002

LAST Friday, Doctors Jeremy Carless and John Isaac were surprised to find themselves at a presentation ceremony. Their staff, both past and present, from the surgeries at Hughenden Valley and Prestwood, had gathered to mark their retirements. On behalf of all their patients, Marge Sawney, a patient of very long standing, presented both of them with scrolls from grateful patients. She thanked them for their kindness, understanding and hard work in looking after everyone and wished them long, happy and busy retirements and said "God bless you both".

In return, Dr Carless emphasised how fortunate they had been to be serving such a wonderful community. Both doctors thanked their medical teams for all their support through the years and wished the new doctors every success.

Dr Streule, well known for years to many Prestwood patients, outlined the growth of the practice and stated how privileged he had been to work with these two doctors, who he said ran a sound and stable practice with dedication and loyalty to their patients. Never lost for words, Dr Streule gave a lively anecdotal speech which underlined the teamwork and good humour of all those gathered there, but nevertheless showed how valued the two had been.

It will interest people to know that, when Dr Carless joined the practice in 1964, which incidentally was started in 1942 with Dr Ernst using Bert Stratford's front room in Boss Lane as the surgery, there were just 4,000 patients with two doctors and their wives, and a surgery only three times a week.

Now there are 13,000 patients, in Naphill, Hughenden, Prestwood and the surrounding villages, seven doctors and a large support team of nurses, pharmacists, clerical staff and a practice manager.

Dr Streule outlined the innovation and hard work put in by Dr Carless during his 38 years and Dr Isaac in 26 years, which culminated with the modern new surgery.

Dr Isaac arrived in 1975 full of ideas after working in Australia. He eventually married Carol and they have two daughters.

Dr Carless started in 1964 and lived, with his supportive wife Liz, over the Chequers surgery in Prestwood to start with. They will be staying in this area with their family, Anna, William and Tom and their grandchildren. Dr Carless hopes to have more time now for walking. Dr Isaac will possibly follow a new medical interest.

Summing up, Dr Streule described their retirement as the end of an era which called for the farewell "Goodbye Jeremy and goodbye John!".

HUGHENDEN Pre-School held a small concert last Friday. As well as singing songs that they had recently learnt, they demonstrated the results of their music lessons with fast and slow, and soft and loud. After the adventures of the Hare and Tortoise, they gave a good luck clap to those leaving to start school after Easter.

THE next Valley Wives talk is on April 5, when Mr Seamark will explain about sheep dog training and trials. The next meeting of the Hughenden Art Group will be led by Bryan Thatcher on Friday, April 12, when he will give a workshop on landscapes. This will be followed on Monday, April 15 with an informal meeting which will focus on stained glass windows.

By Janet Idle