Visitors to North Walsham hospital’s day room can take a trip back in time or into a leafy woodland glade thanks to the efforts of its Friends and public generosity.
North Walsham War Memorial Hospital Day Room revamp. Friends and ward sister Kerry Howarth by the new woodland wall mural. Picture; Richard BatsonA £20,000-plus revamp of the room at War Memorial Hospital has just been completed.
It features a full wall forest mural and a selection of archive photos showing the historic hospital and the town centre.
It was paid for using donations made to the hospitals League of Friends, who provide “extras” that are beyond the health service budget. Friends members got a glimpse of the room’s facelift after their annual general meeting.
Chairman Keith Jarvis said: “We hope the room will provide a homely, relaxing place for patients and their families to spend time together.
“The woodland wall is very tranquil, and the old pictures should provide a conversation piece and a reflection of the proud nursing heritage we have here in North Walsham.”
North Walsham War Memorial Hospital Day Room revamp. Hospital Friends look at the display of archive pictures. Picture: Richard BatsonThe archive pictures – a selection of which are below – were provided by the North Walsham and District Community Archive.
North Walsham War Memorial Hospital Day Room revamp. Save Our Baby Beds campaign 1985. Picture; North Walsham and District Community Archive.
North Walsham War Memorial Hospital Day Room revamp. Archive pic of 1984 tree planting by the Friends, led by chairman Brian Elliott. Picture: North Walsham and District Community ArchiveThe project also includes a new television, blinds, flooring and furniture. It is also planned to renew furniture and provide raised flower beds in the garden patio area outside the day room, for people to enjoy in good weather.
A formal opening of the new-look day room will be is planned in the coming months.
During the previous year the Friends received £2354 in donations and £2280 in lieu of flowers at funerals, the annual meeting heard.
The group spent around £11,000 on buildings and equipment ranging from soundproofing a training room to a microwave oven and fan. The Friends also organise Christmas carol singing and gifts.
Chairman Keith Jarvis, secretary Angela Batson and treasurer Carol Willgress were re-elected at the 69th annual meeting.
Mr Jarvis reported that the Friends had also helped provide replica flags to remember the town’s two First World War Red Cross hospitals which nursed injured troops. They were also pleased to be town mayor Barry Hester’s nominated civic charity this year.
For other archive pictures – and updates on the Friends work – also see our Facebook page.
