The restoration of the war memorial boards at Hexham General Hospital honors local history and community ties, bringing a sense of pride.
Hexham: The war memorial boards at Hexham General Hospital have been beautifully restored. Specialists from Langley Furniture Works took on the task, and they did a fantastic job.
These boards used to hang in the hospital’s chapel, but over the years, they showed signs of wear and tear. It was time for some TLC.
According to a rep from Langley Furniture Works, the wood glue had broken down, causing splits in some areas. They really brought the boards back to life.
Hexham has a rich healthcare history, starting back in 1921 with the opening of the War Memorial Hospital, funded by public donations after World War I.
During World War II, the hospital played a crucial role in treating injured soldiers before joining the NHS in 1948. The current building opened its doors in 2004.
Andrew Patterson, one of the chaplains, shared how important it is to remember those honored by the boards. He said it’s a reminder of the positive impact the hospital has had on the community.
Kim Minnis, the matron, reminisced about the old war memorial hospital from her training days. She noted that many local families are still connected to the hospital, making the restoration even more meaningful.
The project was funded by Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity after staff applied for support. Rob Graham, head of the charity, expressed how pleased they were to back this project, knowing it means so much to everyone involved.
