News – Page 13

Replicas flag up town’s Great War nursing heritage

11th June 2018 by Richard Batson

A flag has returned “home” to a former First World War hospital which nursed injured solders in the heart of a Norfolk market town.

The Red Cross flag once flew over Wellingtonia in Mundesley Road, North Walsham where staff and volunteers cared for Great War heroes.

Now faded original flags have been replaced with replicas which will be displayed at the current hospital, and the parish church, as reminders of the town’s nursing heritage.

North Walsham, Wellingtonia, Red Cross, Hospital, First World War — New replica flag at Wellingtonia, the former First World War Red Cross Hospital in North Walsham. Hospital Friends chairman Keith Jarvis (left) and secretary Angie Batson, with current Wellingtonia resident Sarah Swann. Pic credit Richard Batson

They have been paid for by funding from the North Walsham War Memorial Hospital League of Friends plus a donation from well-known local shopkeeper and musician Denis Payne, a supporter of the hospital, who died in November 2016 aged 86,

The church’s two flags will be dedicated at the town civic service this weekend (June 17) – and the hospital’s will take pride of place in the day room, where the Friends are funding an upcoming refurbishment.

Friends’ chairman Keith Jarvis said: “The centenary of the ending of the war is a poignant time to remember this piece of hospital history in North Walsham. The Friends use the public’s generous donations to pay for improvements to the current care – but, like the town as a whole, we are proud of the caring past previous hospitals have provided for previous generations.”

Sarah Swann, who lives at Wellingtonia with husband Paul, added: “It is lovely living in an historic house like this and remembering its hospital heritage through the flags is a great idea.”

North Walsham had two Red Cross auxiliary hospitals which nursed injured troops. The other, Lower House, was also on the Mundesley Road nearer the town centre at what is now Greenway Close.

The old flags were stored in the parish church, where vicar The Rev Paul Cubitt teamed up with the Friends to seek funding for replicas. The church’s two will go in the war memorial chapel which honours the 99 men who served their country but did not return home.

The current hospital was opened in 2012, on the site of the former 1924 complex which was built in memory of the 1914-18 war victims.

Town mayor chooses the Friends as his special charity

27th May 2018 by Richard Batson

The Friends have got a new friend in a high place – recently- appointed North Walsham Mayor Barry Hester.

Barry Hester, mayor, North Walsham, civic, charity — North Walsham Mayor Barry Hester who is supporting the Friends during his civic year. Picture courtesy North Walsham Town Council.

He has kindly made us his charity of the year, and has pledged to raise hundreds of pounds during his time in office.

Mr Hester, 60, was mayor two years ago, when he raised £1900, which was split between the local dementia support group – in memory of his mother who lived with the condition – and the parish church First World War window restoration appeal.

After donning the chain once more, the retired civil servant has chosen the Friends to benefit from civic and town council charity events this year.

They will include the civic dinner, Christmas markets, market stalls and tombolas as well as other events he will be discussing soon with fellow councillors and the Friends.

Mr Hester, who lives in Corbett Road, North Walsham, said: “I was looking for a good cause to support and it did not take long to choose the hospital Friends.

“I attended the opening of the hospital’s training suite they provided during my last term of office, and am keen to help them carry on their good work.”

Friends chairman Keith Jarvis said: “We are thrilled to have the support of the mayor. Not only will it bring us more funds to help the hospital and its patients, but it will help raise awareness of who we are and what we do.”

The Friends are currently in talks with the health authorities over plans to improve the hospital day centre and garden patio for the benefit of patients and visiting relatives.

Donation in memory of wartime voluntary nurse

23rd February 2018 by Richard Batson

A donation to the Friends has been made in memory of a voluntary nurse who used to work at one of North Walsham’s wartime hospitals caring for injured soldiers.

Constance Walker was a member of the well- known Walker family who co-ran Ebridge Mill with the Cubitts.

Constance Walker (right) in the family car

But granddaughter Celia Scott says Constance carried out a voluntary nursing role in at the Red Cross auxiliary hospitals set up in the town to help injured First World War troops.

“She was given a beautiful topaz brooch engraved with grateful thanks from the hospital. It is still in the family today –in Victoria, Canada,” said Mrs Scott, 85 a retired occupational therapist from Barton Turf whose family home used to be in Bacton.

“I saw the news article about the Friends and their involvement in funding replicas of the old hospital flags – and wanted to make a donation to them. It is in memory of my granny, but also to help the work of the current day hospital.”

Mrs Walker was born in North Walsham in 1872, the daughter of local solicitor William Empson. In married life she used to live in a house virtually opposite the current War Memorial Hospital. The hospital Constance worked in was one of two on Mundesley Road set up just for the war.

North Walsham Hospital Friends Constance Walker — Portrait of Constance Walker, a former voluntary nurse at North Walsham’s First World War auxiliary hospital.

Mrs Scott, like many supporters of the hospital, has family connections with its work, as her sister had two babies in the previous unit, which included maternity beds, just after the Second World War.

Family pictures show Constance Walker as a young woman posed by a fireplace, and (far right) riding in the family De Dion car with husband George and Mrs Scott’s aunt Beryl and mother Dorothy.

If you would like to support the work of the North Walsham War Memorial Hospital League of Friends through a donation send it to the treasurer Carol Willgress, 28 Beechlands Park, Southrepps, NR11 8NT, or call 01263 833733.

Hospital flags to fly again thanks to donation

27th January 2018 by Richard Batson

Faded flags that flew over wartime hospitals are set to “fly” again thanks to a friend of the current care complex.

They once marked the location of two temporary First World War hospitals in North Walsham where the Red Cross nursed injured troops.

North Walsham Hospital, Friends, Rev Paul Cubitt, Keith Jarvis — The Rev Paul Cubitt and Keith Jarvis with the old North Walsham hospital flags. Credit Richard Batson

Today the white and red pennants have turned grey with age, and languish in the parish church where they have been stored for years.

But a joint initiative between the vicar and the Friends of North Walsham War Memorial Hospital is providing replicas to remind people of the town’s nursing heritage.

And it has been made possible by a donation from a well-known local shopkeeper and musician with connections to both organisations.

A collection in memory of musician Denis Payne, who died in November 2016 aged 86, is being used to provide two £300 replicas for the church where he used to play keyboards at funerals, and where he gave visitors tours of its history.

And the Friends organisation is buying one to put in the hospital which cared for Mr Payne, who ran the family sweet shop in town for many years, when he was ill in later life.

The church flags will go in the war memorial chapel which honours the 99 men who served their country but did not return home.

The Rev Paul Cubitt said it was fitting to get the flags revived for 2018, the centenary of the end of the Great War.

“We are really grateful for the Payne family for donating the money in memory of Denis to make this happen,” he added.

Both Red Cross auxiliary hospitals were on Mundesley Road. One, Wellingtonia, is now a private house. The other, Lower House, was demolished and is now Greenway Close.

Wellingtonia, North Walsham Hospital, Mundesley Road, Red Cross — Soldiers outside Wellingtonia when it was a Red Cross Hospital (credit North Walsham and District Community Archive)

Red Cross Hospital Mundesley Road North Walsham — Lower House which was also a Red Cross auxiliary hospital – now demolished and the site of Greenway Close (credit North Walsham and District Community Archive)

The modern complex was opened in 2012, on the site of the former 1924 hospital which was built in memory of the 1914-18 war victims.

Mr Jarvis said: “When Mr Payne’s widow heard ab

out the old flags she was pleased to donate Denis’s collection to get two of them restored in his memory, and the Friends were happy to provide one for the hospital to highlight the town’s connections with wartime nursing.”

If you would like to help the Friends with a donation call chairman Keith Jarvis on 07788 889853.

The church is fundraising to restore its main east window over the high altar which is also a Great War memorial. To help with the church window appeal contact the vicar on revpcubitt@btinternet.com.

Friends deliver festive gifts to hospital patients

15th January 2018 by Richard Batson

Patients spending Christmas in hospital at North Walsham were given the tonic of extra gifts to unwrap – with a little help from their Friends.

Hospital Friends, Christmas gifts, — Hospital Friends members deliver gifts to patients at Christmas.

Parcels of goodies were delivered to wards at North Walsham War Memorial Hospital on the weekend before the big day.

Bearing the gifts were members of the hospital’s League of Friends which does the annual present-drop using funds generated by public donations.

The packages were presented to 27 patients as the hospital was fully-occupied over the festive period.

Long-serving nurse Kerry Howarth said: “It means a great deal to the patients, especially those whose families live far away and cannot visit. They are pleased to know someone is thinking of them, and its puts a smile on their face. Everyone is very grateful for what the Friends do.”

Life member of the Friends Janet Alden from Honing has seen the gift delivery from sides of the bed – as a visiting gift-giver, and as a patient back in 2003. She added: “If you are feeling low it is a real boost when the unexpected gifts are handed out. And when you are delivering them you see patients perk up and really appreciate it.”

Friends chairman Keith Jarvis said: “We are delighted to use the public’s donations to put a smile on the faces of patients at this time of year with parcels of gifts. We also enjoy chatting to them on our rounds. They have some great stories to tell, and some – including one who was a former member of staff – have a real affinity with the hospital which we are proud to support.”

North Walsham Hospital Friends, Christmas gifts, Keith Jarvis — Hospital Friends chairman Keith Jarvis hands over a hamper gift to staff.

The Friends, who also organised a visit by carol singers over the festive period, presented hampers to the staff as well. The support group of volunteers provides extras all year round however, and are currently drawing up an action list of projects for 2018, including a new website to keep the community in touch with their work.

If you would like to help the Friends with donations or fund-raising please contact Mr Jarvis on 07788 889853.

Replicas flag up town’s Great War nursing heritage

Town mayor chooses the Friends as his special charity

Donation in memory of wartime voluntary nurse

Hospital flags to fly again thanks to donation

Friends deliver festive gifts to hospital patients

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