Events

Friends deliver festive gifts to hospital patients and staff

22nd December 2021 by Richard Batson

We’ve been! A sleigh-full of goodies have been dropped off at North Walsham hospital by its Friends group to give patients and staff a festive boost.

Packages for patients include a dozen goodies ranging from word search puzzle books and bedsocks, to toiletries and chocolates.

North Walsham War Memorial Hospital Friends 2021 Christmas gifts — *Friends chairman Keith Jarvis and wife Zana delivering the festive goody bags.*

Three big hamper bags for staff working on the wards, and other departments, contained food and drink including mince pies and biscuits.

They were delivered by Friends chairman Keith Jarvis and his wife Zana who is a committee member.

Keith said: “It is a Friends tradition to do the Christmas presents, which we know are appreciated by the patients and staff. In a normal year we would tour the wards handing them out, but this is the second year we have had to drop them off, for staff to hand out on Christmas Day.

“Patients enjoy the treats, and they like knowing that people, other than their family, are thinking of them at Christmas. And we like to show our appreciation to staff, who have had a particularly tough year due to Covid.”

Young choir brings carol singing treat to hospital

19th December 2021 by Richard Batson

Carol singers gave patients at North Walsham hospital a doorstep musical treat.

Broadland Youth Choir normally wanders the wards to bring festive cheer to people’s bedsides.

North Walsham War Memorial Hospital Broadland Youth Choir carol singing 2021 — *Broadland Youth Choir visiting the hospital to sing carols*

But this year, due to Covid restrictions, the youngsters serenaded patients from the patio outside the day room – letting their cheery harmonies filter inside via open windows and doors.

Choir musical director Zaira Palumbo said earlier in the day the 22-strong choir based at Salhouse sang outside Roy’s of Wroxham, and the hospital visit was their final performance of the year due to Covid cancellations of other planned events.

The event was organised by the Friends of North Walsham War Memorial Hospital, who support the hospital by using donated money to buy extras that benefit patients, staff and visitors. Their final event will be on Wednesday (December 22) when they drop off goody parcels for patients and food hampers for staff.

Service honour’s war dead at hospital built in their memory

11th November 2021 by Richard Batson

The 179 men from the North Walsham area who gave their lives in the First World War were honoured at an Armistice Day ceremony outside the hospital built in their memory.

The original War Memorial Hospital was opened in 1923 following a public fund-raising appeal. It salutes the 99 soldiers from the town and 80 from surrounding villages who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for their country.

A memorial stone from the building still proudly stands at entrance to the current building which replaced it, and is the focus of an annual ceremony on November 11.

North Walsham War Memorial Hospital Armistice Day 2021 — *The Armistice Day service at North Walsham War Memorial Hospital. Left to right: bugler Ian Richardson, Rev Nigel Paterson, and wreath layers Sheila Mitchell (RBL) and Keith Jarvis (Hospital Friends).*

Veterans, hospital staff and supporters and members of the public gathered for the two minutes’ silence.

Assistant priest the Rev Nigel Paterson led prayers, while bugler Ian Richardson the Salvation Army’s divisional envoy played the Last Post.

Wreaths were laid by Royal British Legion branch secretary Sheila Mitchell and hospital Friends chairman Keith Jarvis. Legion deputy chairman William McIvor was standard bearer.

Scaled down but poignant Armistice Day 2020

11th November 2020 by Richard Batson

Our community hospital dedicated to soldiers lost in battle held a small Armistice Day service in their honour.

The annual event was scaled down to a handful of people due to lockdown restrictions.

North Walsham War Memorial Hospital Armistice Day 2020

But organisers were determined it should go ahead to remember the sacrifice of 99 men from the town and another 80 from surrounding villages who gave their lives fighting for their country in the First World War.

Hospital Friends group chairman Keith Jarvis said: “We were pleased to hold the service in honour of the soldiers the hospital is a memorial too, as well as others who have given their lives serving their country. It was a small but poignant gathering but we hope to revert to a larger scale service next year.”

He joined North Walsham church ordinand Jo Haywood, Salvation Army bugler Ian Richardson, and two Royal British Legion representatives – deputy-chairman and standard bearer Bill McIvor and secretary Sheila Mitchell, for the short service.

Prayers included one for the foundation of the 24-bed hospital in memory of those who suffer through war, and for its current patients – who, following a recent temporary change of role for the unit – are all people recovering from Covid.

Lockdown Armistice Day will happen – but in private ceremony

5th November 2020 by Richard Batson

Armistice Day will be marked at North Walsham War Memorial Hospital this year despite the new lockdown – but with a small, strictly private, ceremony to meet government rules.

Just six people will attend the annual November 11 event, which remembers the 99 men from the town and further 80 from surrounding villages – who gave their lives in the First World War.

*Friends chairman Keith Jarvis, treasurer Carol Willgress and secretary Angie Batson at the memorial in 2019.*

Under the latest restrictions only a handful of church, Royal British Legion and Friends representatives can attend – so we are asking other regular visitors and members of the public to please stay away this year.

Friends chairman Keith Jarvis said: “It is important the wreath laying goes ahead in honour of the fallen heroes our hospital is dedicated to. But we need to ensure the tradition is carried out within the current Covid guidance for everyone’s safety – and we look forward to welcoming bigger crowds back next year.”

Friends deliver festive gifts to hospital patients and staff

Young choir brings carol singing treat to hospital

Service honour’s war dead at hospital built in their memory

Scaled down but poignant Armistice Day 2020

Lockdown Armistice Day will happen – but in private ceremony

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