Being of a somewhat sensitive disposition, I find the idea of public displays of affection truly terrifying. Imagine my horror then, when the Saintly Mrs. Awdry announced that we needed to step over the threshold of 'Awdry Towers' and show our appreciation of the National Health Service with a spirited round of applause. "But I have my slippers on", I explained, all to no avail, as I was ousted from the armchair and presented to the street. This became my routine every Thursday night at eight o'clock, it was all very strange, but even I had to admit that there was a palpable sense of community and hope as I cringed my way through the longest minute of the week.
Social afflictions aside, I am of course delighted to show my support of the National Health Service and was thrilled when another opportunity presented itself in the form of this splendid miniature produced by 'Empress Miniatures'. This representation of a WWII Combat Nurse is sculpted by Paul Hicks and money raised by its sale will go to British National Health Service Charity, RCN Foundation COVID-19 Support Fund.
I love this photograph of the Canadian medical staff that Paul had used as his inspiration for the sculpt and it transpires, rather charmingly, that Lt. Woolsey is the grandmother of a good friend of his. There is a sense of calm and professionalism about the trio in the foreground, who will no doubt finish their mugs of tea and step back into the war without a second thought for their own safety; a spirit of duty and sacrifice clearly in evidence to this day with our own nurses on the 'front line'.
Stay Safe.
What a great post, I'm raising my mug if tea to you and to the fantastic NHS!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ray and a cup of tea always helps.
DeleteVery nice....I too am drink my mug of tea.....I will try and get one of those if I can 😀
ReplyDeleteThank you Matt, they certainly appear to still be available on the website.
DeleteLovely sentiment and wonderful figure!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you Iain, pleased to have her in the collection.
DeleteA fine figure sir, however to represent a nurse of today (whom we both know well), you'd have to replace the tea with a Bacardi - (but only on a Friday or Saturday night),
ReplyDeleteCheers
Thank you my good man and lovely to hear from you.
DeleteThat's a splendid paint job on a great model.
ReplyDeleteTimely reminder to order one for myself (though I doubt my paint job will be as nice as yours)
Thank you, looking forward to seeing yours soon.
DeleteWhat a great model to help the NHS, and you've done a excellent job on painting it Michael
ReplyDeleteThank you Dave, it was a very easy decision to pick one up.
DeleteGreat figure, great sentiment, and nice to know that I'm not the only person who felt a little uncomfortable clapping on the doorstep.
ReplyDeleteCheers Roger.
Thank you Roger and so pleased it wasn't just me. Mind you I get uncomfortable singing happy birthday at parties.🤣
DeleteNicely done and well sculpted by Mr Hicks - I am really starting to like his figures. But I must protest as looking up the Empress NHS figure led me to Their WWII range and some excellent BEF figures that my wallet says I must have.
ReplyDeleteThank you Graham, always been a fan of Mr. Hicks' work, but this one also cost me a pack of Vietnam era U.S. Special Ops Marines! Not sure how that happened?
Deletegreat stuff, my estate is aweird shape and the applause was odd. Love the figure
ReplyDeleteThank you, it really was a wonderfully strange phenomena.
DeleteSimply brilliant, once again.
ReplyDeleteI was concerned for a while that there was no exit strategy for the clapping. I'm pleased you've drawn a line under it in such a charming way. An unexpected, yet wonderful post.
Thank you James, I managed to squeeze her into the project by having her pose with Besotten Jenny. It was such a lovely idea that I was happy to get involved.
DeleteLovely minI!
ReplyDeleteThank you Michal.
DeleteA lovely little figure, and a great cause.
ReplyDeleteThank you A.J. I certainly thought so.
DeleteUnfortunately, when you look beyond the simplistic headlines, reality is somewhat different?
ReplyDelete`sadly, I have no doubt that you are right Jeremy.
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea, & here's to health works all over the world.
ReplyDeleteHere, here Frank.
DeleteCheers Michael, inspired and wonderful work!
ReplyDeleteThank you Phil.
DeleteWhat a fun little figure!
ReplyDeleteThe difficult bit will be resisting the Canadian Ambulance that they are planning on releasing!
DeleteSuper homily to the NHS and a great figure too !
ReplyDeleteI had similar experience at my first "clap" in the street., slippers 'n all.
Thank you Joe, us slipper wearing chaps need to stick together.
DeleteAs an RN in the trenches, the support matters. So thanks Mike! I can hear it all the way across the pond.
ReplyDeleteThe very least I can do, take care!
DeleteAnother excellent post Michael. Great to see that us Canucks are always quick with a smile, even during times of crisis. We do seem to manage to find a bit of fun even in trying times.
ReplyDeleteThank you Terry and that certainly seems to be the case in my limited experience. A splendid nation of fine people.
DeleteNicely done Mike and in a very classy way. The nurse is a lovely sculpt, I like how she has a chance for a spot of brew.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dai, there is something wonderfully charming about the pose and after all, everything stops for tea.
DeleteSplendid work on a lovely miniature for a good cause. Luckily I was only dragged out once - mainly because I usually ended up busy cooking dinner at that time for when a particular NHS worker came off shift, to whom I happen to be married to!
ReplyDeleteExcellent work by the health services in your country. Same here in mine. All round applause but on a more quiet note from an introvert like me. And as an introvert I understand your fears on public affection completely :)
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Happy to hear people are showing their appreciation to a service many people take for granted and who probably had to work extra hard during the crisis. An amazing model you picked and painted to show your support!
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