Two Ulverston St John Ambulance volunteers and another from Ambleside were honoured for coming to the aid of an injured jockey at Cartmel Races in 1996.

Ambulanceman Bob Stewardson, from Seatle, near Cartmel, Cadet Corporal Kevin Barrett, of Poplar Grove, Ulverston, and John Prickett, of Ambleside, received top awards from their commissioner in chief.

Each was presented with letters of commendation by St John county commander John Dixon at Ulverston’s St John Ambulance headquarters in September that year.

Earlier in the day Kendal PC Alan Bullock, who also took part in the jockey’s rescue, was also honoured with the chief constable’s certification of commendation.

The first aiders and the bobby leapt into action as the jockey lay unconscious on the track after his horse collapsed.

In 2006 St John Ambulance volunteers changed uniforms to fight against the perils of superbugs.

People at that July’s North Lonsdale Show saw the first aiders in their new gear.

They were wearing green suits similar to those worn by county ambulance staff.

Area Commissioner Pat Procter said: “In the ongoing fight against superbugs, we now need to be able to wash uniforms at above 60 degrees, and this was impossible with the ‘woolly pully’ uniforms.

“Over the next few months all members are changing to the green cotton-based suit that can be washed at that temperature.”

The new uniforms had St John Ambulance emblazoned across the back of the shirt, the Amalfi Cross on the right shoulder and the name across the left shoulder.

All members wore epaulettes and those denoted different ranks. Red epaulettes signified a doctor, grey a nurse, purple a midwife and green a paramedic.

Other members, including ambulance technicians, wore black epaulettes.

Black and white uniforms would still be worn for ceremonial duties, such as Remembrance Day, civic or church parades and at presentations or inspections.