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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.

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.

North Walsham Hospital Friends — Performers, with Hal Cruttenden in the centre, and organisers of the Stand Up for North Walsham comedy night. Photo: Richard Batson

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.

Bikes and trikes boost Friends’ funds

22nd April 2019 by Richard Batson

An Easter motorbike event at North Walsham revved up some fundraising for the town’s hospital Friends group.

Trike and Bike Show - Friends secretary Angie Batson rides sidecar with mayor Barry Hester with bike owner Jake Silk in the background. — Trike and Bike Show – Friends secretary Angie Batson rides sidecar with mayor Barry Hester with bike owner Jake Silk in the background.

The two day Trike and Bike Show Easter Eggstravanza attracted more than 60 bikes, including restored vintage machines and sidecars, to the Market Place on Sunday.

Trike and Bike show - Mayor Barry Hester (right) with Tony Allen and his 1960 Norton Dominator — Trike and Bike show – Mayor Barry Hester (right) with Tony Allen and his 1960 Norton Dominator

It was organised by White Swan publican Peter Edge and biker regulars Mike and Christine Bullimore and also included live music at the pub on Sunday from the Hillbilly Goats Gruff and The Bluejacks and Grease Monkeys the town football club on the Saturday night.

Friends secretary Angie Batson with a Chevvy at the Trike and Bike Show

It raised around £250 to be split between the North Walsham War Memorial Hospital League of Friends, which is the mayor Barry Hester’s civic charity of the year, and the National Association for Bikers with a Disability.

Hospital unveils day room makeover and says ‘that’s what Friends are for’

29th January 2019 by Richard Batson

A £22,000 facelift has turned the hospital day room into a welcoming space where patients and visitors can relax and reminisce.

North Walsham War Memorial Hospital, Day Room, Friendship Room, Norman Lamb, Keith Jarvis — MP Norman Lamb with guests at the opening of the revamped Friendship Room at North Walsham War Memorial Hospital. Pic by Richard Batson

The project at North Walsham War Memorial Hospital was paid for by the League of Friends, which channels public funding donations into “extras” to benefit patients, families and staff.

The day room has been renamed the Friendship Room in recognition of the Friends’ work and to reflect its use as space where patients and visitors can relax and chat away from the wards.

It was officially opened by MP Norman Lamb who said it showed the value of the Friends’ work, and the strength of community support for the hospital.

The hospital, which also has social care and clinics such as physiotherapy, fitted the new long term NHS vision to deliver more care closer to people’s homes he added.

One wall of the refurbished Friendship Room has been transformed with a giant mural of a sun-dappled woodland, and another adorned with archive pictures of the hospital and town as a conversation piece for patients.

Friends chairman Keith Jarvis said the group was formed in 1949, two years after the NHS and had a proud history of supporting the local hospital – from providing a new training room to Christmas gifts for patients.

The day room project also includes a new television, blinds, flooring and furniture. It is also planned to renew furniture in the garden patio area outside the day room, for people to enjoy in good weather.

Among the guests at opening was town mayor Barry Hester who has made the Friends his civic charity of the year and has so far raised £2850.

The hospital is run by the Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust whose chief executive Josie Spencer added: “We are lucky to have people like the Friends who are willing to work on local initiatives like this – which can be projects we cannot afford, or would take longer to achieve without their help.”

The Friends are keen to recruit new members to help them in their work. If you are interested visit the How To Help section of this website.

Friends bring festive cheer and gifts to hospital patients

23rd December 2018 by Richard Batson

Patients on the wards at North Walsham War Memorial Hospital have been given some Christmas cheer by its League of Friends.

League of Friends deliver gifts to North Walsham War Memorial Hospital; League of Friends — League of Friends deliver gifts to North Walsham War Memorial Hospital. Pic by Richard Batson

Each of them received a gift bag brimming with 15 items from socks and stationery to toiletries and cheese biscuits – topped by a Christmas cracker.

Friends members toured the hospital on Saturday to deliver the parcels.

The presents, are one of the “extras” provided by the Friends – who rely on public donations for their funding – to improve the lives of patients and families. Staff were also given food hampers in appreciation of their work.

North Walsham War Memorial Hospital, League of Friends. — North Walsham War Memorial Hospital staff receive gifts from the Friends. Pic by Richard Batson

Chairman Keith Jarvis said: “This is one of the highlights of our year. Staff say patients are so grateful that people are thinking of them. It is so rewarding to see the patients’ smiles at a time of year that is all about caring.”

Staff sang “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to Friends after receiving their gifts, then headed back to work on the wards.

Civic dinner boosts Friends

Comedy seals civic hospital fundraising drive with a smile

Bikes and trikes boost Friends’ funds

Hospital unveils day room makeover and says ‘that’s what Friends are for’

Friends bring festive cheer and gifts to hospital patients

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