News Archive 2017-2019
This page is a look back at the league stories from 2017 to 2019
Heatherwood Hospital 1922-2023
This page is a look back at the league stories from 2017 to 2019
14th October 2019
All present, confirmed the closure of the League of Friends of Heatherwood Hospital, with the closing account showing a zero balance after the award of £52,529.22, to Frimley Health, for the agreed timeline project and to cover the moving of artefacts to the new hospital, Proposed by Roy Ryman, seconded by Pauline Richardson.
The league of friends completed it's final act as a charity when the final AGM was concluded on the 14th October.The meeting concluded with David presenting certificates to the members of the league for their many years of voluntary service to Heatherwood Hospital.
The meeting closed at 18.30
March 2019
It is with some sadness we announce the closure of our charity this year, In more recent times the "League" has been more of an administering charity for it's funds we hold, The hospital wards and departments reducing over the years, the need for some of our services rendered these redundant, leaving us with less to fund raise with and for.
Currently we run the laundry at Willow house in the Staff Residences, it provides around three thousand pounds a year after all the costs to run it are paid, Gas, Water etc. Originally in Heatherwood House, it has been providing some of our funds since the 70's. The Volunteers and the League itself cost of running is very minimal.
There now being only 6 members left and a majority the wrong side of 80, it has been decided to handover the laundry to Metropolitan Thames Valley and their suppliers, with effect of 1st April 2019, thus clearing the way for our charity to close.
The way our charity was set up 1958, we are now not in a position to meet the needs of the new Heatherwood Hospital in the future, the funds remaining have been ear marked for a special project that will link the old hospital with the new, as our final gift to the hospital.
We thank everyone in Bracknell, Ascot and area's beyond, for their support over the 61 years, approx. £475,194 having been raised during that time.
Please do take a look at our websites for the league of friends and Radio Heatherwood, they contain a lot of what has been achieved over the years, also a lot of history from the beginning of the hospital to the present day. It is hoped to maintain these web sites after the charity has closed. Two Trustees as the League of Friends Heritage Group, will maintain copyright Inc. intellectual rights, on behalf of all those that have contributed in one form or another, to the "League" and its services.
David Smith On Behalf of the League of Friends Heatherwood Hospital.
May 2018
Former patient Isobel contacted us this month to share her experiences of Heatherwood just after the war. 1945-1947.
The loves to hear from former patients and staff with stories and any images of times gone by.
The full story can be found here:-
Isobel Kaniewski Heatherwood Memory Lane
12th May 2018
A recent visitor to the chapel spotted an unusual shape cast onto the chapel wall.
The chapel web page carries the full story.
Trick of the light or intentional ?
The full story can be found here:-
Anisah Taylor Visit
6th January 2018
A recent discovery of our web site by former patient Joyce Woodman prompted her to contact us.
A new page has been added to our site detailing her experiences in the late 40's early fifties at Heatherwood.
I was so thrilled when I came across the LOF’s website. It was really nice to read some of the ex-patients stories from the 1940’s and wondered if any of them were in at the same time as myself.
"I wish I found your web site earlier" she writes "Thankyou for your help and keep up the good work.
The full story can be found here:-
Joyce Woodman Heatherwood Memory Lane
1st December 2017
The annual Christmas gift allocation took place on Friday 1st December.
League volunteers Peter & Dorothea Standley & Pauline Richardson & Lesley Simm visited the wards with Christmas cheer and a big thank you to all the staff.
Our Thanks to John Richardson for capturing the days events.
The full story can be found here:-
Heatherwood Christmas Gift Allocation 2017
29th July 2017
The league was recently contacted by Janet Wickens who wrote
“I am writing
about my late sister Alison
Ottewell who was an inpatient at Heatherwood for about 18 months in the mid 1950s.”
Along with stories and pictures of her late sister Alison,Jan remembers her visits to Heatherwood.
Our thanks to Jan for sharing these memories with us.
The full story can be found here:-
Janet & Alison Ottewell Heatherwood Memory Lane