Edie Newman MBE, 1932–1999
Social Reformer
A campaigner for the rights of disabled people, Edie became Honorary Secretary of the North Herefordshire Society for Learning Difficulties in 1964.
She later developed a residential home in Leominster and was an early advocate of caring for disabled people in the community.
She received an MBE for this work.
“Edie Newman was something of a pioneer. She had a son, Geoffrey, who had learning disabilities, and when he came of school age she was incensed by the lack of facilities for him in the area. In November 1964, she attended the inaugural meeting of the North Herefordshire Society for Learning Difficulties and was made Honorary Secretary. So began the long fight for equality for people with learning difficulties.
It was not long before a house in Pump Piece became what would be described in today’s parlance as a Care Home. In 1977, adjoining houses was rented from the Council and became home to several residents, much of the early expense being met by Edie. At the top of her garden she had a workshop, where the residents could carry out craft activities and games in the daytime. The houses are now a registered care home, ‘Newman House’.
Through her foresight, and the bravery of Herefordshire County Council, care in the community was thus established, long before any Government hijacked the idea.
She received an MBE for her work. Since her untimely death in 1999 her family have continued with her request that the Care Homes continue to provide a home for life for the existing residents.”
Information from Les Newman and the residents of Pump Piece, quoted in ‘Leominster in Living Memory’
