Malborough Town Crier on road to recovery (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Malborough Town Crier on road to recovery

6:00pm Wednesday 8th August 2012 in News

Town crier Alfie Johnson has made an almost complete recovery after suffering a stroke at his Marlborough home on Monday last week.

Mr Johnson, 81, spent four days in the Great Western Hospital. And on the day he was discharged, his wife, Annie, was admitted suffering from stress.

Mr Johnson, of London Road, says his speedy recovery was thanks to a lucky combination of coincidences.

When he collapsed at his home he was being visited by his friend, fellow fairground enthusiast Ian Philpott, who caught him as he fell.

When Mr Philpott dialled 999, paramedics were at the door within seconds from an ambulance that just happened to be passing.

Mr Johnson, who temporarily lost his speech as a result of the stroke, was taken to the intensive care unit at the GWH where he spent 24 hours before going onto a ward.

He was allowed home on Thursday, the same day his wife was admitted with stress. She was discharged after 24 hours.

Mr Johnson, who has been Marlborough’s town crier for 18 years, thanked everyone for “their wonderful care and attention”.

He said: “I have been overwhelmed by the interest people have shown and by all the cards and get well messages.”