League of friends 1958 till 2019
The league's history on these pages is by no means complete. Lots of events and
deeds have been lost because records of them have not been kept. The following
pages containing newsletters issued and memorabilia gives us a glimpse of times
gone by. We take our hat's of to all those volunteers who laid the foundation
for the League of Friends.
We shouldn't forget the success of the league of friends is also due in part to
the contribution made by all Heatherwood staff who make patients welcome and the
care afforded them reflects in the donations received by the league.
The league of friends was a society created by members of the Ascot rotary club.
It's founding members launched the new society in 1958.The first meeting of the
league took place on 26th February 1958 at the old court house Ascot. At the end
of the first year of the league, two TV sets were purchased at a cost of
£157.10.0.
The league's aims did not change but our society had changed and the work of the
league through the decades reflects that change in society.
The early years of the society was geared to raising as much funds as possible
and to encourage membership through annual subscription. Two shillings a year
was the cost and local collectors for the area ensured these subs were
collected. The membership at one point rose to 1000. No records exist of who
those members were.The collection of subs by area collectors ceased in the early
1970's. The league was indebted to those unsung heroes as they ensured a regular
income.The passing of time the membership has now fallen to zero as the league
says goodbye in 2019.
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1960's
The 1960's were dominated by the fund-raising for the chapel ( £7500 ). Although
this was a major project for the league, money was still being used for other
small items.
As the sixties came to a close the membership dwindled from it's high.
Hospital fete's Bazaar's and dinner dances held twice a year were major fund
raisers for the league.
1970's
The 1970's where the league concentrated their income towards the staff swimming
pool and re-decoration of nurses rooms.
Fund raising was continued through the annual fete's celebrities attending
during the seventies included Bruce Forsythe(1974), Ian McCullough and Howard
Lang and Michael Barrett(1971) Mrs Jane Beaumont wife of clerk of Ascot
Racecourse Captain Beaumont(1975).High street raffles for cuddly toys also
generated sums for the league.
The league invested large sums to upgrade the radio receiving equipment on the
wards and to support the radio request service which had been started by the
then works foreman ( Bill Berry ). Bill had been operating a service in the
early 1970's. After appeals to the league for help. Radio Heatherwood was
re-launched on the 10th June 1976 with new studio's and equipment.
The latter half of the seventies the league produced a booklet in association
with it's radio service. Over the next few years 10 editions were produced and
carried adverts from local businesses. The editorial of the booklet detailed all
of the league's services on the hospital. The booklet was given to visitors and
patients until the last edition in 1988.
In 1979 a cheese & Wine party was held in the social hall to celebrate
twenty one years of the league. Members were invited along and a raffle raised
£200 for the refurbishment of nurses rooms.
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1980's
In the 1980's the annual fete's continued as fund raiser's with celebrity guests
still being enticed to attend. Tom O'Connor, Rex Hunt,( Governor Falkland
islands ) Nanette Newman and Kenneth Kendall and Iris Williams all appeared at
Heatherwood.
As the 80's continued the league was fundraising for Kings fund beds which were
being introduced. These offered greater assistance to nursing staff with all the
new adjustments and manoeuvrability. The old heavy cast iron beds were being
phased out.
The league's radio service in 1987 through to 1988 was engaged in raising over
£14,000 for a new radio transmission system and the replacement of old studio
equipment( Inductive Loop AM Service for Wards ).
In November 1988 when the Princess Royal opened the new EMI Unit, members of the
league were presented to her highness along with members of the WRVS and
hospital staff.
With the opening of the new Emi unit it was hoped the league could obtain a shop
for the sale of goods. Despite numerous discussions it never materialized and
too this day the league still does not have a permanent focal selling point
within the hospital.
As the eighties drew to a close large bequeaths to the league ensured deposit
accounts could be set up to bring in an annual income to the league from
investments.
The end of the eighties brought with it the introduction of computers to the
leagues radio service and this also helped the main league in carrying out
advertising and assist the secretarial functions of the league.
1990's
1990 was the year the league received it's registration as a charity( 900282 )
after operating as a charitable concern, the league formalized arrangements.
The 1990's through to the present day are the most successful in monetary terms
for the league but the membership has fallen to low levels. The monetary
assistance offered to the hospital is the largest since the inception of the
league. Every two years the league hands over to the hospital gifts of £10,000.
This has meant over £67,000 during the 90's.
The league severed it's links with the National Association after changes in
subscriptions, was based on league income. The league felt it inappropriate to
base subs on the amount of money it receives. The league operates as an
independent but has association with Bracknell Council for Voluntary Services.
The fundraising through the event of the fete's was ceased due to a lack of help
and support from volunteers. The last fete organised by the league was in 1990.
A couple of car boots were organised but lack of help and support sealed the
demise of this type of fundraiser.
In 1993 TV personality Lennie Bennett opened the hospital fete. This was not
organized by the League.
Today's income for the league comes from donations, capital investments, washing
machine usage and the trolley shop volunteers who provide another source of
income for the league.
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2000's
As the new millennium got under way the league launched it's web site using
memorabilia entrusted to the league from a former employee of the hospital (
Ruby Brook ).
The changing accommodation requirements of the hospital, forced the league into
committing funds for the move of the radio station to new premises on the
hospital site. £7100 was allocated to the project, and the volunteers provided
an enormous amount of man-hours to complete the project( Radio Heatherwood ),
2000 also saw the launch of the league's first web sites one for the league and
one for the radio. These are maintained by the league secretary and have proved
useful in recruitment and fundraising for the league.
In 2001 the league along with it's radio service volunteers celebrated 25 years
of the hospital radio. It was also the official opening of the new studio
complex.
In 2006 the league made the most substantial gift in it's history with £48,000
pledged for a new discharge lounge and cardiac monitoring unit.
In 2007 the leagues old laundry is closed, as Heatherwood house is redeveloped.
A new purpose built laundry equipped and funded by the league will provide
laundry services for many years to come.
The league's radio service is advised that as they are in a wooden building they
would have to move at some point. All wooden buildings were to be removed from
site.
In 2008 and the league is in it's fiftieth year, and launched a new way to raise
funds for the hospital. The development of the internet has provided the
opportunity for visitors to make donations to the league while they shop at the
league's web shop. Over 150 retailers are accessible and will make a donation to
the league if visitors purchase from the league web shop.
In 2009 the league is under a great deal of pressure to fund requests from wards
and departments. The hospital trust radically changes the shape and function of
the hospital in an effort to offset major financial errors. Large scale closures
of wards and departments means the hospital is a shell of it's former self.
In 2009 the hospital radio service is once again advised it would have to move
as they were in the way of any new build. The leagues radio service decide to
freeze all recruitment until further notice.
2010's
In 2010 the league bid farewell to it's trolley shop and loyal volunteers. The
service is forced to close through lack of sales as the hospital has downsized.
At the end of 2010 the inductive loop radio service is switched off.
In 2012 the league provide a wi-fi service for Ward4 orthopaedic, which allows
patients and staff access to the internet and ability to listen to the hospital
radio.
In 2016 the radio service is forced to close down after the trust refuse to
renew the lease and no provision will be made in the new build.
In 2016 the league agree's funding for lasers for urology department £40,000.
In 2018 the league agreed to make a donation of £15,000 to the stroke appeal of
Frimley trust.
In 2019 the league now calls it a day and goes through the winding up process
for a charity, which was an angel of mercy to the hospital for 61 years. There
will be no move to the new hospital, the last physical evidence of the league
will be the demolition of the chapel,once the land is developed for housing. Our
only link to the new hospital will be a project to fund the entrance area, which
will show the hospital's development through the decades this will include
selected pictures. This project the final funding by the league.
Summary
In the early days fundraising through local events in the locale were in
abundance, but 61 years on, this is no longer possible.
The league has funded in excess of 472 projects totalling over £475,194 in it's
history.
The league has an aging volunteer base, so was limited to the kind of events it
could become involved with. The shrinking of the wards and departments by
successive trust managements decimated the league's activities at the hospital.
The loss of the trolley shop and the radio service denied the league of new
younger volunteers.
The leagues aims, We must ensure the efforts of those who have passed through
our doors have not been in vain. Many volunteers did pass through the doors of
the league. In the early days long service to the league and hospital would have
gone un-noticed. In the last two decades this was changed and long service
certificates were regularly given to those members with hearts of gold who give
up their spare time to make the League of Friends, an essential friend for all
at Heatherwood Hospital.
The league's internet presence will be maintained for the foreseeable future,
this so that the good deeds of the volunteers is available for all to see.
Heatherwood Hospital had a League which was dedicated to the well being of the
hospital and it's staff.
R.I.P League of Friends Heatherwood Hospital
P.J. Davidson-Smith
