Merseyside admitted to Freedom of the City

 

In March the City of Liverpool acknowledged the achievements of St John Ambulance Merseyside in granting the city's greatest honour - admission to the City's Freedom Roll of Associations and Institutions. 

The lavish ceremony took place at the impressive Town Hall and was attended by dignitaries from the Merseyside districts, St John HQ and members representing all aspects of St John Ambulance life in Merseyside.

St John Ambulance in Merseyside is a growing organisation with membership on the rise and more than a third of our members are under the age of 18.

Our volunteers are now looking forward to 2008 when St John will be an important part of Liverpool's celebrations as European Capital of Culture.

Branches within the now County of Merseyside have existed for over 130 years.  It all began at the Liverpool School of Cookery in 1877 - the year that the St John Ambulance Association was formed by the Order of St John to train workers to give first aid to the victims of industrial accidents.

The St John Ambulance Brigade was formed in 1888 to provide first aid and an ambulance service at public events.  On the 8th January 1897, the first brigade in what is now Merseyside - the Southport division - met for the first time in the London and Yorkshire railway carriage shop.