Taxi driver throws lifeline for Middlewich pensioners after Dial-a-ride folds9:00am Sunday 10th June 2012 A Middlewich taxi driver has saved the day after three elderly women were cut off from a weekly service which stops them feeling isolated.
Ethel Wareham, 104, Nelly Crumplin, 84, and Margaret Dean, 81, were forced to cancel their membership at Bembridge Court’s lunch and bingo club when Dial-A-Ride stopped trading.
But scheme manager Pam Farrell was so determined that they should not miss out that she struck a deal with Rick’s Taxis of Middlewich.
It turned out that Rick Bridle, who runs the business in Brooks Lane, was more than happy to do his bit as he actually played with their children when he was growing up.
“We all have a duty somewhere along the line,” said the 59-year-old.
“They’ve known me since I was a kid.”
East Cheshire Community Transport, which ran the Dial-A-Ride service, stopped trading on May 16 after Cheshire East Council slashed the charity’s funding from £10,506 to £6,186.
“It was a shock,” said Margaret, who used to run Dean’s Newsagents in Booth Lane.
“We were relying on that service. If I didn’t come here on Wednesdays I wouldn’t go out.”
Pam added: “They would have lost the chance to come at all which would have been a crying shame.
“It gives them independence when they come and join in. A change of four walls and someone to talk to can make all the difference.”
Margaret, Nelly and Ethel used to pay £5 for a return trip using the Dial-A-Ride service and Rick is now giving them a reduced rate of £3 each.
Ethel, who is believed to be one of Middlewich’s oldest residents, told the Guardian that she is impressed with the new service so far.
She said: “It’s very good of Rick to step in. We can’t grumble - he’s been very helpful and helps us on and off the minibus.
“It’s a day out for us which we enjoy.”
Source; http://www.middlewichguardian.co.uk/new ... ds/?ref=nt
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