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Follow me on Twitter! @Edwina_Currie |
Personal InfoRIP JOHN JONES 1941 - 2020
Edwina's beloved husband John passed away on 1 November 2020 after a long battle with cancer.
They married in 2001 and had been looking forward to their 20th anniversary and John's 80th birthday, but it was not to be.
VolunteeringFor 15 years Edwina was a volunteer at Nightingale House in Wandsworth, south London, one of the largest homes for the elderly in Europe, running the monthly residents’ Book Club. This only came to an end a year after her return to Derbyshire. “I recommend giving some hours as a volunteer,” she says. “The arguments in the book club got very heated even though the members were in their 80s and 90s. It was such fun”
“Edwina’s Nonagenarian Book Club” – Guardian 7th June 2008 
At Nightingale House in South London, with author and former MP Ann Widdicombe, 14th April 2010 TravelOver many years Edwina has been in demand as a speaker on cruise ships, talking about her work in Westminster, her books and her more recent life. One popular talk is entitled, "Growing Old Disgracefully..!" She says, "I've travelled all over the world and have been on scores of cruises, having a wonderful time. It's a great way to enjoy the finest cuisine and entertainment while waking up in a different port each morning. As soon as we can, I hope to get on board once more." 
Partners in Education SwazilandEdwina has been a Patron of PIES for some years now. This is a British charity run by volunteers committees in both the UK and locally. She has made two visits to Swaziland (now called Eswatini), one of the poorest countries on earth, which has been devastated by the lost of an entire generation through HIV/AIDS.
For more information see: www.piescharity.org.uk Cycling for CharityLong distance bike ride challenges for charity were part of Edwina's life for many years, including helping to organise them for Marie Curie Cancer Care. A typical example was a 450km bike ride in Poland in September 2004 which started in Krakow and finished at Marie Curie's birthplace in Warsaw. It raised over £240,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. In all Edwina has done nine like this, and John was with her on six of them "Though he rode at the front, and I was usually at the back," she laughs. Locations included France, Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Amsterdam, Egypt and Israel. "A great way to raise money, stay fit, see wonderful places and make friends for life," she says. To
get a real flavour of the fun and pain of these events, read Edwina's
Sunday Times 2003 article:
Anyone interested should check out www.classictours.co.uk who organise these challenge events or your favourite charity’s website. Interested in a cycling or walking holiday in Derbyshire's beautiful Peak District, or further afield? Then we can recommend www.peak-tours.com for a wonderful experience Tideswell Male Voice ChoirIn November 2011 Edwina was invited to become President of the award-winning Tideswell Male Voice Choir, based in the Peak District; husband John Jones promptly joined, first as a baritone then graduating to bass. The choir has taken part in the Cornwall International Male Voice Choir Festival 2013, the Bowdon Festival (Manchester 2013), and appeared at Gawsworth Hall, Stockport Plaza and (numerous times) Buxton Opera House. For details of their current concerts please visit www.tideswellmvc.co.uk
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