Hospital service celebrates century
nrhn 130912. Staff at Ripley Hospital celebrate its centenary by dressing in period costumes.
More than a hundred patients staff, dignitaries and long serving volunteers joined to celebrate the centenary of Ripley Hospital on Friday.
In a special service led by the Sandham Lane centre’s serving chaplain Rev Jason Kennedy, thanks were given to all the people who have worked at and helped raise funds to keep the community facility going over the years.
In a sermon delivered outside the Butterley Ward, he said: “I have only been here as chaplain for little over a year.
“It’s a very small part – but it’s wonderful to know I am a part of the story of this place.
“Each person that has been a part of the this story, which started more than 100 years ago, is part of a wonderful history.”
Rev Kennedy continued to say what a vital facility the hospital has been to the people of the town - adding that it was not only a place to come and ‘be healed,’ but its hospice services offer patients a ‘dignified place to die’.
Chairman of the Ripley Community Hospital League of Friends Phyllis Holmes joined director of operations for Derby Community Health Services, William Jones in unveiling a plaque to mark the centenary at the hospital.
Phyllis, whose mother was a founding member of the league of friends in 1956 and whose brother, Geoff Bonsall, was instumental as its chairman in seeing the Butterley Ward built, said it was a proud day.
“This hospital means people don’t have to travel to Derby or Nottingham for blood tests - we all cherish it very much.
“It’s such a big honour to be part of this story.
And reffering to how the hospital was founded after miner Thomals Neal died in transit to Derby Royal Infirmiry in 1912, she said: “From tragedy 100 years ago to victory today.”
Among the dignitaries present were Amber Valley mayor Cllr John Nelson.
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Weather for Ripley
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
