War veteran surprised with hundreds of cards

FORMER SOLDIER HONOURED AS HE CELEBRATES 100TH BIRTHDAY

A WAR VETERAN beams with happiness after turning 100 this week and being celebrated by his community.

Joe Weaver fought for Britain during World War II at just age 18. He spent much of his life living in Mount Avenue in Heckomondwike, but recently moved to Harrogate to be closer to his daughter.

The 100-year-old proudly wore his veteran’s uniform showcasing his honorary badges on his special day on Sunday before being greeted with a special surprise.

Councillor Paul Halloran for Batley and Spen first met the Heckmondwike hero at a Remembrance Day memorial day service in Batley.

After a conversation with Mr Weaver’s family, Paul decided he wanted to set up an appeal to make Joe feel extra special. He decided he would get people from the community to send him special cards – and managed to get hundreds involved.

In a public appeal on his Facebook page, Paul said: “As many of you recall this is me with the incredible Mr Joe Weaver after last years Remembrance Day Service. Joe went to war at 18 & served King and Country.

“I have been asked by the family if I would kindly put out a post to ask everyone far and wide if they can make Joe’s day by sending him a 100th birthday card to wish him all the best and to show our appreciation of his service to this great country.

“Please let’s show Joe the love and respect we have for him by sending him a card with a little message in, from as many people as we can. On Sunday I will be attending the celebration and I will present Joe with all the cards sent.”

On Sunday, as his friends and family gathered around Joe, Paul went to see him and brought him 400 cards from young adults and carers of Hollybank Trust, school pupils, teachers and support staff of St Paulinus, Dewsbury, St Joseph’s, Batley Carr and St Mary’s in Batley. Joe appeared overjoyed by the gesture and said ‘thank you to you all’ in a sweet video recorded by Paul.

In the clip Joe quickly gets up for his chair and looks at the large bags filled with cards in amazement. Many of the individuals who got involved decided to handmake their cards, and some even drew impressive portraits of the hero.

Paul added: “Joe’s gone through and seen things that many of us can’t even comprehend. I salute him and genuinely in awe of his indominable spirit. A man of a world that many seem to have forgotten.

“I know each and everyone will never forget the sacrifices of Joe and his pals. Never has the world needed more Joe Weavers than right now. Joe was deeply touched.” Paul added: “He kept saying to me “I don’t deserve this” I told him he deserved everything and more. What an amazing day.

“Humbled doesn’t even come close to how privileged I’ve been today to be able to pass on all your cards, gifts and kind wishes to the wonderful Mr Joe Weaver on his 100th birthday.”

CONCERNS have been raised about the UK’s over-reliance on overseas nurses and midwives after new figures suggest that a significant number of new workers come from abroad. Almost half (48%) of the 48,436 people who joined the nursing and midwifery workforce in the last year have come from different countries, with the vast majority (66%) coming from India and the Philippines. Leading nurses questioned how sustainable it is to “recruit half of all new nurses from around the world”. It comes as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) released it annual figures on the numbers of nurses and midwives registered to work in the UK. While the figures suggest an overall increase in the number of staff - with some 758,300 now registered to work in Britain concerns have been raised about the rising number of people leaving the register. A total of 27,133 people left the NMC register in 2021/22 - 13% more than the year before. Among 6,500 nurses and midwives who responded to a “leavers’ survey” ,the top reasons for leaving were retirement, personal circumstances or “too much pressure”. The report states that stress and poor mental health are factors in “many people’s decision to stop practising”. Midwives were the most likely to cite this reason, closely followed by mental health nurses. The figures also suggest one in five nurses and midwives (21%) working in the UK are “of potential retirement age”. Andrea Sutcliffe, chief executive and registrar at the NMC, said: “Our register is at the highest level ever. This is good news considering all the pressures of the last two years but a closer look at our data reveals some warning signs. “The total number of people leaving the register has risen, after a steady and welcome fall over the previous four years. “Another note of caution is that growth of the workforce has become more reliant on internationally trained professionals joining our register. “These professionals make a welcome and vital contribution to our nation’s health and wellbeing. But we can’t take them for granted.”

War veteran, Joe Weaver with Batley and Spen councillor Paul Halloran, and, inset below, some of the birthday cards