HISTORY

HOW THINGS BEGAN

The original Stratford Hospital opened in 1884 in an attractive Victorian building on the Alcester Road expanding in the first half of the 20^th century into the Old Workhouse buildings on Arden Street. These were replaced by new buildings after the introduction of the National Health Service in 1948.

The League of Friends of Stratford Hospital dates back to that time, but the purpose then is the same today - to raise funds which provide those things, not readily available from the NHS but which support the comfort and well being of patients, their loved ones and the hospital staff.

In 1996 the original South Wing was sold to a hotel chain, which fortunately kept the clock tower and much of the façade intact. Acute services were transferred to Warwick Hospital. However, the garden outside the Nicol Ward is an example of the Friend’s work still flourishing today; the grateful husband of a patient, who happened to be a gardener, offered to turn the patch of ground outside the ward into a garden offering not only a view from the window but somewhere to sit, on fine days. From these early days it has been lovingly maintained by the Soroptimists.

Times Change!

In 2017 a new hospital building opened so that some services might return to Stratford including a state-of-the-art cancer treatment unit, an ophthalmology unit and a community well-being centre. The League threw themselves into supporting this exciting move with renewed vigour, helped by a legacy from a local farmer, Percy Lomas and his sister, Roma. Since this included properties and land as well as money and was shared with Shipston Hospital, the League spent some ten years obtaining full access to the bequest and were relieved and delighted when the Café Lomas and Lomas Suite opened.

Building still continues, and a Diagnostic Unit will be up and running in 2025 – more challenges for the Friends!

And the Friends change with the times!

In 2024, the Committee decided that the word League was somewhat out of date, so we are now simply, Friends of Stratford Hospital with a brand-new logo to match. We are even busier than ever as we strive to meet evident demand, and contribute meaningfully to the welfare of patients, their loved ones and the staff in an ever-expanding Stratford Hospital.

Trustees

Chair: Ursula Russell MBE DL 

chair@friendsofstratfordhospital.org

Trustee/Secretary/Treasurer: Cynthia Musgrave (Cindy)

secretary@friendsofstratfordhospital.org

treasurer@friendsofstratfordhospital.org

Trustee: Chris Boylan

Trustee: Jane Meehan