There was a special presentation this afternoon at the Boundary House in Abingdon when the Town Crier called everybody together, and then the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Brian Buchan, read a full citation for both Rodney and Rosalie James. They were both recognised individually in the New Year Honours List of 2021.
Today was the day they were both presented with a M.B.E for fostering over 400 children and providing them with a stable home. The citation said ‘They treat every child as unique and they tailor parenting to meet individual needs.’
Not only have they fostered and helped the children in their care to achieve better outcomes educationally than is usual for foster children, they have also helped recruit and train more foster parents. Rod and Rosalie are now in their eighties and finished fostering before the award was made.
Rod is also well known for his long association with the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, who were there to dance for the MBEs.
The Oxford Mail had an article about them soon after the award was announced.
also, for many years, rod took the part of “the bold slasher” in the abingdon mummers play at christmas time. in those days it was customary to play the part with a black face. the mummers still tour the abingdon and area pubs collecting for charity, but covid has prevented them during the last two years.