Centenary gates unveiled to mark 100 years of Haslemere Hospital
As part of Haslemere Hospital’s centenary celebrations, newly restored 1920s iron gates have been unveiled at the site’s patio garden. As well as marking the 100-year milestone, these gates will allow patients staying on the wards to enjoy the outside space in a safe environment.
The gates, funded by Haslemere Hospital’s League of Friends, were officially opened on Tuesday 14 November by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, who was ceremoniously introduced by the Town Crier.
Chief Executive Louise Stead was on hand to thank the team at Haslemere and League of Friends for their support. She said: “We are incredibly proud to have Haslemere Community Hospital as a part of our Trust. It is a fantastic inpatient facility, where patients with frailty and complex needs receive the care they need close to home.
“Enjoying the outside space is important to our patients and these historic gates will help them to safely relax in the patio garden. I extend my appreciation to the League of Friends for supporting this initiative.”
The gate posts have been built in the same style as the original brickwork so that the gates are in fitting with the site.
Rose Parry, Chair of the Haslemere Hospital’s League of Friends, said: “I was asked by the ward sister if we could provide a gate for the patio garden so that patients could safely enjoy sitting in garden, watching the activity happening close by and chatting to people as they pass.
“As it’s the hospital’s centenary we decided to purchase a pair of gates which once renovated would require limited maintenance in future years. The cast iron gates we’ve installed are circa 1920s and in keeping with the building.”
As part of the project, volunteers planted 300 additional bulbs for the raised beds to give the garden some extra blooms this springtime. The League of Friends also purchased and filled two very large terracotta statement plant pots.