Friends of Lydney Hospital

The Christmas stall was held on Saturday 3rd December outside the Co-op in Lydney.  The Friends would like to thank all who gave their support by donating items for sale and of course those who bought products and draw tickets. 




A smiling Edna Oaten of Harrison Way Lydney on 6th December, receiving her hamper which was first prize in the Friends of the Hospital Grand Christmas Draw.

Each year residents at Goode Court Lydney save their
loose change and donate it to a chosen charity.   
We are fortunate that this year it is  the turn of Friends
of Lydney Hospital.  A cheque was formally handed over
to Friends Chairman Tony Midgley on Thursday 2nd December.
Tony thanked everyone sincerely for their generous gift.


 

The Rising Sun at Woolaston Common was the recent venue for two fundraising events - a coffee morning and a harvest auction. Local people, customers and staff together raised a total of £510 in aid of Friends of Lydney Hospital.  
The harvest auction was ably conducted by local character Willie Guest – landlady Maria said “he just has to look a you, and you’ve bought
something!”   Brian James and Angela Davies, committee members of the Friends of Lydney Hospital, were presented with the cheque at the Rising Sun on Wednesday.  From left: Brian, Maria, landlord John Isaacs and Angela. The Friends are very grateful for this wonderful contribution to
funds.

Mrs Sylvia Beddis of Pillowell was the lucky holder of the winning raffle ticket drawn at the Lydney Hospital Fete in July.  Mrs Beddis had the choice of a weekend break for two in London or a cheque for£250.00.  She chose to take the money and put it towards a ‘Turkey ’n Tinsel’ break for herself and husband Alan nearer Christmas.  Sylvia said “I’m not sure if the winning ticket was one of two I purchased at the Nags Head in Yorkley, or one of two I bought at the Hospital Fete!”  Sylvia supports the Friends of the Hospital every year and this is the first time she has won a major prize.  The cheque was presented by ‘Friends’ committee member Anita Mott, who organises the annual summer raffle.

Friends of Lydney Hospital were sad to say goodbye to Mary Young who retired from Watts Group on Friday 29th July 2011.  Mary was based at Althorpe House in Lydney and was known and loved by many in Lydney and the forest.  Mary said she had been very happy during her years with Watts Group as Secretary to Mr Melville Watts and thanked the company for allowing her to help with the administration of the Friends of Lydney Hospital whilst also fulfilling her formal role.

During the last few days in the office she was visited by many members of the community including Matron Mandy Hampton and some members of her team from the Hospital.

Tony Midgley, Chair of the Friends, presented Mary with a beautiful painting entitled 'Up the Straits'.  Mary also received a gift from Rupert Bathurst - a limited edition print of his painting of Melville Watts.

We thank Mary very much for all her help over the years, and wish her luck and happiness in her future retirement.

At Lydney Library on the evening of 26th July 2011, Vicky Harper signed copies of her book ‘Lydney Memories’ - a collection of original stories written by her mother Barbara Steele. Many of these stories were originally published in the Review newspaper. Vicky has produced this book at her own expense, all proceeds going to the Friends of Lydney Hospital, in memory of Melville Watts OBE. The event was organised by Christine Martyn of the Local History Society.  Amongst many others the event was attended by Lord Mayor Bill Osborne and his wife Susan, Anthony Midgley (Chair of Friends of Lydney Hospital) and members of Melville Watts’ family. Anthony thanked everyone who attended and bought a book. He also thanked Vicky Harper, Christine Martyn and Jenny Potter of Lydney Library for their generous support of the Friends of Lydney Hospital.

Left: Vicky Harper  with Lydney Mayor Bill Osborne.

Right: Jenny Potter (Lydney Library) with Marion and Ron Davies

The first event of the 2011 Lydney Festival was a concert by the Stuart Singers of Minchinhampton at St Mary’s Church Lydney on Saturday 11th June 2011.  The evening was sponsored by Glatfelter Ltd.  Following introduction by Anthony Midgley, Music Director Gerry Palmer went on to present a varied programme of music which included pieces from Lennon & McCartney, Mozart, Leonard Cohen, Cole Porter and Eric Clapton.  One of these, Allelujah by Leonard Cohen, was first released in 1984; Bob Dylan has sung it live, and more than 100 versions of the song have been recorded.  Allelujah is known in recent years as sung by Alexandra Burke (X Factor Winner 2008) and also on the soundtrack of the film ‘Shrek’.  

MD Gerry contributed to the evening’s enjoyment by his witty introductions, and by inviting audience participation, particularly in the song Down by the Riverside –enthusiastic singing by the audience demonstrated why he is a successful choir Musical Director!
 
The penultimate item was ‘Bottle Lament’, arranged by accompanist Barrie Cooper, very popular with the choir and its audiences over the years.  No wonder!   The ‘song’ is a series of ten verses, based on the old favourite Ten Green Bottles, each verse sung in the style of a well-known composer.  As an example: you’ve never heard Beethoven’s Für Elise like this! Barrie said later that he has arranged another piece in a similar style – we wait in anticipation!
 
In excess of 100 people attended this very enjoyable concert, raising £1,200 for the Friends.  A very big 'thank you' to the Stuart Singers and to our sponsors Glatfelter Ltd.