A Fete at Last
After a gap of two years we were able to hold the Annual Hospital fete. It was not without problems tho! For reasons beyond the control of the League of Friends the planned site for the fete had to be changed with just a week’s notice from land within the Cornwall Council Chy Trevail site to Fair Park in Westheath Avenue.
It is with deep gratitude to Bodmin Town Council who made Fair Park available at the last minute, loaned gazebos and were so helpful and supportive in every way.
On the day, Saturday 25th June, when several events were cancelled because of ‘frequent heavy rain and thunder’ forecast, it was decided, with many prayers, to go ahead. And our prayers were answered, despite several drenchings while setting up, from 2pm the sun shone, and only within the last minutes of the fete did the downpours return.
The Bodmin Town Crier, Terry Williams introduced explorer, Robin Hanbury-Tension who opened the fete. Robin described his experience with Covid and the wonders of the Healing Garden at Derriford Hospital, hence, he is currently fundraising to provide a Healing Garden for the Intensive Care unit at Treliske.
The League of Friends have so many people to thank, but especially the people of Bodmin, Bodmin Town Council, Bodmin Rotary Club and Bodmin Lions who put up the gazebos and then dismantled them, Norman Trebilcock of FLEET who loaned and erected his marquee used for the Tea Tent. Tina Roberts who expertly, as always, compered the fete, providing music and fun for everyone, and her young disabled son, Bobby, who, once again, bought tears to everyone’s eyes as he played World in Union on his keyboard, Adie Dove and her young dancers who gave such a wonderful performance, Lindy Margarch, the Dog Judge, St Minver Silver Band, resplendent in their uniforms, their mellifluous tones drifting across the site, MIND Music Group, the skittles team, the Human Fruit Machine, Splatt the Rat, Hugs Foundation, Fin’s Delights, the Face Painter, all the wards who participated and especially to all the helpers who came to run the League of Friends stalls and without whom we could not put on a fete. To all the wonderful sponsors who gave cash or vouchers which all went to make a fantastic afternoon, a true community event and, above all, raised valuable funds for the hospital – to provide equipment and services for the staff and patients not provided by the NHS
Photos provided by Bodmin Camera Club, Adrian Jasper and Brian Crank.
Open Garden for the National Garden Scheme
On Sunday 24th April Bodmin Hospital League of Friends were kindly invited by Tony Ryde to supply teas for his Open Garden for the National Garden Scheme at The Lodge, Fletchers Bridge. Tony’s garden was absolutely beautiful as always and was very much enjoyed by the visitors who also appeared to very much enjoy the lovely selection of cakes and scones made by BHLF members, raising valuable funds to help support staff and patients at Bodmin Hospital. “We are very grateful to Tony Ryde for enabling us to raise funds in such and enjoyable fashion,” said BHLF Chairman, Susie Gore.
Queen’s Green Garden Canopy
At the end of March our Chairman, Susie Gore, planted an Oak tree at Berryfields Park in Bodmin for the Queen’s Green Canopy, part of a nation wide tree planting campaign to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubillee. Bodmin Town Council very kindly invited Bodmin Hospital League of Friends to be part of this and pictured here is Susie, with a helping hand from Jenna Wheten of Bodmin Town Council
Last Night of the Proms Revisited
What a splendid evening we had. A good turn out and an am amazing show that was enjoyed by all.
Generous help for Bodmin Hospital from the National Grid
At the Annual General meeting of Bodmin Hospital League of Friends on Wednesday 16th November Peter Bray, who is a member of the National Grid Benevolent Fund, handed a cheque for £1000 to BHLF Chairman Susie Gore.
Said Mr Bray: “Due to the very nature of what the National Grid do – connecting people to the energy we all use – the National Grid is at the heart of communities and each year we make significant charitable donations to community organisations and charities in areas where National Grid’s work is impacting on local people. This year we are delighted to be able to present this cheque to Bodmin Hospital League of Friends who support the hospital, its staff and patients in all they do, a hospital which is not only for Bodmin, it serves people county wide as do we.”
Very welcome donation from the ‘Welcome Stranger’
The well known and loved local eatery owner, Lester Bale, presented Susie Gore, Chairman of Bodmin Hospital League of Friends, with a massive £656 at the Bodmin Hospital Fete.
Lester, who has himself spent a fair amount of time as a patient in the hospital, is the owner of the Welcome Stranger Fish & Chip Shop in Lanivet and it was there that he held a Bingo session a few weeks ago to raise this money to say thank you to the staff for the wonderful treatment he received there.
Lostwithiel Young Farmers Donate £2,000
On a rainy, blustery first day of the Royal Cornwall Show the Lostwithiel Young Farmers presented a cheque for £2,000 to Bodmin Hospital League of Friends after a wait of two years because of Covid. This money was specifically to be used by the Woodfield Stroke Rehabilitation Unit in recognition of the amazing treatment one of the local farmers had received there – they raised this from the sale of pumpkins, manure and various other activities. In the picture, in front of the Bodmin Hospital League of Friends’ stand at the show are: L-R: Jessica Finnemore, BHLF Fete organiser; Tony Gregan, BHLF Trustee; accepting the cheque is Sarah Howard, Speech & Language Therapy Assistant on the WRSU; Nurse Sharon Bonney; presenting the cheque is Callum Stephen who was Chairman of the Lostwithiel YFC in October 2020 and Ann Gregan, Secretary BHLF with several members of the Young Farmers Club in the front row.
Bodmin Hospital League of Friends work to raise funds to supply services and equipment for the staff and patients at the hospital which is not supplied by the NHS. Said BHLF Chairman Susie Gore: ”This is such a wonderful donation from a marvellous, hard working group of young people and we are forever grateful to them.”
The Friends Receive ‘Team Spirit’ Award
Bodmin Hospital League of Friends were thrilled and delighted to receive the Team Spirit Award in the Bodmin Town Council Community Volunteer Awards. A framed Scroll was presented to Chairman Susie Gore by outgoing Mayor Jeremy Cooper at a ceremony in St Petroc’s Church on Thursday 19th May.
In accepting the award Susie said that Bodmin Hospital League of Friends (initially just called the Friends of Bodmin Hospital) began twenty years ago this month to coincide with the opening of the new hospital and she paid tribute, not just to the committee and supporters of today but to everyone over those past years who have contributed so much to its work. Susie thanked Bodmin Town Council for its unfailing support to the league of friends and she also thanked the wonderful staff at the hospital for all they do for the patients in their care.
