Barry Hester

Civic tonic for hospital Friends’ funds

1st July 2019 by Richard Batson

North Walsham Hospital Friends — Civic cheque handover with Friends, councillors, volunteers and staff. Pic Richard Batson

A civic charity fund has boosted the North Walsham War Memorial Hospital Friends’ coffers by more than £4000.

The town’s outgoing mayor Barry Hester made the town’s hospital Friends his civic charity of the year.

And after a successful series of events he has handed over £4221.02 – more than twice the £2000 target he set himself for his year of office, which ended in May.

The fund was boosted by donations and money-raising events from across the community, and Mr Hester said “a lot of people were happy to help because they want to support the hospital.”

Events included cinema and fireworks on the park, a 24-hour pools marathon, bike and trike weekend, civic dinner, donated shoes sold on market stalls and in the Kitale charity shop, and a comedy night which starred TV funnyman Hal Cruttenden.

Mr Hester handed the cash over to Friends chairman Keith Jarvis at the North Walsham War Memorial Hospital, thanking everyone who helped stage and man events.

They included Rob Scammell and Shelly, Phil McCormack, Callum Tartt and Shelby Evans, Peter Edge, Judy and Alexander Oliver, Fiona Turner, Jenny Melville and Tina Foster, Anne Bullimore, Mary Seward and Helen Constantinou.

In his previous stint as mayor in 2016 he raised £1900, split between the North Walsham Dementia Support Group and the World War One window restoration in the parish church. This time he was pleased to help the Friends with their work in providing extras for the popular community hospital.

Friends chairman Keith Jarvis praised Mr Hester and those who contributed to the appeal, and said the committee was looking into a specific project for civic cash.

Recent Friends projects have included a £22,000 day room refurbishment, and ongoing improvements to the garden.

The next Friends’ next fundraiser is a Music for a Summer’s Evening concert of popular organ classics played by Jon Payne in the parish church on Saturday 20th July at 7.30pm. Tickets £8 (£5 concessions) on 07540440122 or http://www.northwalsham.eventbrite.co.uk

The trike and bike weekend, organised by White Swan publican Pete Edge, is being held again in aid of the hospital Friends next Easter.

War Memorial Hospital hosts fitting start to Armistice Day events

12th November 2018 by Richard Batson

North Walsham’s War Memorial Hospital was the fitting venue for the first of the town’s five services marking the centenary of Armistice Day.

North Walsham War Memorial Hospital Armistice day 2018 — Lowering of the standards. North Walsham War Memorial Hospital Armistice Day 2018

Hospital Friends were joined by the Royal British Legion, Army and Air Training Corps cadets, councillors including the mayor Barry Hester, hospital staff and supporters for a 9.30am service and wreath-laying led by the vicar the Rev Paul Cubitt.

Paul Watts from the Cromer and Sheringham Band was the bugler.

The original hospital was built in 1924 in memory of the 99 men who lost their lives in the Great War.

Also on display was a replica Red Cross fIag as a reminder of the two auxiliary hospitals which were set up temporarily in the town to nurse injured soldiers from the 1914-18 conflict. Two flags have been recreated, to go on display at the hospital and church, through a joint initiative this year by the Friends and the vicar.

Pool marathon pockets funds for charity

1st October 2018 by Richard Batson

Pool potty fundraisers played for 24-hours non-stop in North Walsham town centre to boost the Friends’ funds.

Before the start. Rob Scammell, Phil McCormick, mayor Barry Hester, Callum Tartt and Shelby Evans. Picture Richard BatsonA four-strong team of friends chalked their cues for a marathon session which saw them sink 5000 balls – and raise £1300 to be split between two good causes.

Half will go to the Friends group, supporting its work providing extras and improvements to help patients, families and staff.

The rest will go to 20-year-old Sophie Kennedy from Stalham, whose family are seeking to give her a dream Disney holiday break from her three times a week dialysis as she awaits a transplant.

The marathon began at 4pm on Saturday (September 29th) and ended a day later.

The players, boosted by guest spots from friends, managed to achieve their 5000-ball target by just after 9am on Sunday morning – leaving them to relax and coast in to the finishing time.

Action took place under the town clock in the Market Place by kind permission of mayor Barry Hester whose official charity in his year of office is the hospital Friends.

Mr Hester cued the event off and was there at the finish to congratulate the players.

Organiser Rob Scammell, from Café Kitale, said: “It was tiring – and we were flagging around 3.30am before it got light – but adrenaline, banter and energy drinks kept us going, along with support from people who dropped by and put money in the bucket.”

For two of the players, Callum and Phil, there was no respite this week – and they were straight back in potting action just a couple of days later with the start of the new league.

Callum Tartt and Shelby Evans in action during the pool marathon. Picture Richard BatsonHospital Friends chairman Keith Jarvis added: “The players did a fantastic job. It must have been tough playing at a high pace all through the night. We are very grateful for the money they have raised for us.”

The Friends rely on public donations to provide a range of extras at the hospital. The latest project is a revamp of the day room which should be complete in early November.

North Walsham’s mayor’s car boot stall is just the ticket!

11th July 2018 by Richard Batson

You might think being a mayor is just about wearing a chain and chairing council meetings, but think again.

North Walsham Mayor Barry Hester is proving to be an action man having chosen the Friends as his civic charity this year.

North Walsham Mayor Barry Hester who is supporting the Friends during his civic year. Picture courtesy North Walsham Town Council.He will be up at 7am on Sunday morning (July 15th) to help man a tombola stall for us at the car boot sale in the town market place, running from nine until noon.

He said: “I am also a trustee for North Walsham Play which is raising funds for play equipment, who are also running a stall. So I thought @if I am going to be up at that time I might as well run a tombola for the Friends too!”

A collection at his civic service has already netted more than £350 for the Friends, and we are grateful for all the events that will boost that figure this year.

Thanks Barry and if people are out and about on Sunday morning do drop into the sale and buy a tombola ticket.

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.

Civic tonic for hospital Friends’ funds

War Memorial Hospital hosts fitting start to Armistice Day events

Pool marathon pockets funds for charity

North Walsham’s mayor’s car boot stall is just the ticket!

Town mayor chooses the Friends as his special charity

Chairman

Secretary

Treasurer