Richard Batson

Friends work, and hospital history, on show at archive event

15th August 2019 by Richard Batson

The history of North Walsham War Memorial Hospital, and the work of its current day Friends, were showcased at a major community archive event in the town.

North Walsham War Memorial Hospital Friends archive exhibition — *The Hospital Friends stand at the community archive exhibition*

The Friends manned a stand at the three day exhibition at the Atrium.

It showed pictures of the old hospital, its First World War predecessor run by Red Cross volunteers, along with information about the Friends’ work.

Friends members enjoyed chatting to visitors, who were interested in the hospital’s modern day role, and how the Friends support it – channelling public funds into “extras” to enhance the lives of patients, visitors and staff.

Thanks to the North Walsham and District Community Archive for inviting us to take part.

Top organist boosts Friends with concert of classics

27th July 2019 by Richard Batson

A concert of organ music classics has raised some “notes” for the North Walsham War Memorial Hospital Friends.

The event, staged at the town’s parish church, saw Jon Payne play a programme of music for a summer’s evening.

It ranged from Handel’s Water Music to the Eurovision theme tune (aka Charpentier’s Te Deum) and raised £150 which has been split between the church and the Friends.

Jon is an eminent musician with 30 years’ experience. He was an organ scholar at Norwich Cathedral, who has been assistant director of Bradford Cathedral Choir, and has just finished a maternity cover spell as director of music at Norwich’s St Peter Mancroft Church.

He lives in Sheringham and said he became aware of the Friends through this summer’s fund-raising comedy night, which he attended, and was keen to help both the hospital and the church by staging a cultural event.

Friends chairman Keith Jarvis said: “We really appreciate it when people – including some like Jon who we’ve not had contact with before – hold fund-raising events for us. It shows the support the hospital and its Friends have, and how word is spreading about the work we do.”

If you would like to support the Friends with a fund-raising event, or via a donation, legacy, or by signing up as a member, find out more on the How to Help section of our website.

You can also find out more about our work at a stand at the upcoming North Walsham and District Community Archive exhibition at the Atrium on August 8-10 (10-4 each day). Do drop by our stall for a chat.

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.

Comedy seals civic hospital fundraising drive with a smile

15th June 2019 by Richard Batson

Stand-up comedy provided a fun finale to a year-long appeal helping a north Norfolk hospital support group.

Top TV comic Hal Cruttenden headlined an evening of laughter that rounded off a civic fundraising drive in aid of the Friends of North Walsham War Memorial Hospital.

The Stand Up for North Walsham night raised £615 for the Friends, who were outgoing mayor Barry Hester’s charity of the year.

The event, watched by a 150-strong audience at the Atrium, brought the total generated by the mayor for the Friends during his year of office to around £4200.

During the year other events ranged from shoe sales and market stalls to a trike and bike show and civic dinner.

Mr Hester said: “The comedy night came just after my year as mayor ended but it was a great way to finish the fundraising – with a new event for the town that people supported and enjoyed.”

Friends chairman Keith Jarvis added: “We are really grateful for Barry’s support during his year as mayor which has raised funds for, and awareness of, what we do.”

The Friends use public fundraising and donations to buy “extras” for the town’s popular hospital, ranging from a recent £22,000 day room revamp to Christmas presents for patients.

Headliner Hal, a well-known face on television’s Mock the Week and Have I Got News for You, combined his wry look at middle aged life with topical and political “rants”.

He was supported by up-and-coming regional comedians Nelson Gombakomba, Josh Ryan, and Alexander Oliver, who also organised the line-up and compered the evening, plus Ross McGrane, who stepped in at the last moment for Phileo Huff, whose wife went into labour just hours before the event.

Civic dinner boosts Friends

3rd May 2019 by Richard Batson

The Friends have received another boost during our year as the mayor of North Walsham’s official charity.

North Walsham Hospital Friends, mayor, civic dinner — Hospital Friends secretary Angie Batson and press officer Richard Batson with mayor Barry Hester at the civic dinner. Picture Ian Jackson.

Mayor Barry Hester’s civic dinner at the community centre on Friday raised a further £400 for a pot that has now reached £3800 so far.

The latest contribution came through the raffle, so thanks to everyone who bought tickets.

It was an enjoyable night for the 140-strong crowd – a chance to mingle with councillors, community organisations, businesses – and be entertained by talented singer Fiona Harber.

Having support from the mayor has been brilliant, helping to raise funds and our profile among people who may not have known what the Friends do.

Friends work, and hospital history, on show at archive event

Top organist boosts Friends with concert of classics

Civic tonic for hospital Friends’ funds

Comedy seals civic hospital fundraising drive with a smile

Civic dinner boosts Friends

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