The Hub on Rye Hill recently hosted the Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital centenary open days on September 24 and 25. We were delighted to see so many new faces eager to know more about the hospital as well as the more familiar faces of our loyal friends and supporters. We were also very pleased to welcome both the mayor of Winchelsea, David Page, and the mayor of Rye, Rebekah Gilbert to Saturday’s open day.
The exhibition was very popular with our visitors, and the nurse’s uniform (hired from Mad Hatters of Bodiam) based on those worn when the hospital first opened was an authentic nod towards the 1920s. Our visitors were also able to enjoy the specially commissioned centenary film produced by Gutsy TV which explored the history of the site, the closure and reopening of the hospital and the vision for the future of the site. Those unable to see this extended film are able to see 60 second topic films currently showing at the Kino.
There was also an opportunity for visitors to find out more about volunteering or becoming a friend of the hospital and we are pleased to say that a number of new friends were welcomed to the charity. If you would like to know more about the Hospital yourself, please contact us at fundraising@ryehospital.org.uk or call 01797 223810.
There was a genuine feeling of the wider community coming together, which was exactly the purpose of our open days. Our visitors book recorded over 150 signatures from the local towns and villages as well as some who had travelled from much further afield. The hospital remains a vital part of our community and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed by giving their time or generous donations over the years. We aim to be offering services closer to home for at least the next 100 years.
Image Credits: Rye Hospital .