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The Friends of the Wisdom
Hospice
HIGH
BANK, ST. WILLIAMS WAY, ROCHESTER, KENT ME1 2NU
Tel: 01634 831163. Fax: 01634 849975. E-mail Us
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BUILDING
PROJECT
Three
new projects!
Having overseen the building of a new Day Centre, the refurbishment
of the wards and the upgrading of the administration area,
the Friends asked the Working Group to reconvene to look
at three more projects. Namely the terrace, the Chapel and
the need for more car parking spaces. |
The
Terrace
The terrace has been much used over the years by patients,
relatives and staff. With direct access from the wards it
is.an area which overlooks the valley to Rochester Cathedral
and beyond. A restful place but sorely in need of a touch
of the "Charlie Dimmocks" to rejuvenate it.
Once again the Friends are very grateful to a benefactor
for a donation to cover the complete cost of the makeover.
Thanks, too, to Bob Coleman of Coleman & James (our
contractors from Hoo) who has generously given much of his
time and expertise in carrying out the necessary preparatory
work e.g. seeking planning permission and preparing detailed
drawings. The West Kent Shared Services Agency and the Medway
PCT have also contributed by providing the safety railings
surrounding the terrace. All this before we even began to
lift the existing slabs!
June 12th. - and work began on site! We aim to re-use some
75% of the old slabs with new colours and designs interwoven
with the old. There will be a decking area set flat into
the ground with a non-slip surface. Not only that, but there
will be a chess board! -this is already laid with two tones
of grey squares edged in brick. Our "Bob the Builder"
is now on the hunt for chess men - perhaps e-bay will be
scanned?
All of this will be enhanced with suitable plants and potted
trees to create a few quiet and private areas. The sunken
garden (overgrown at present) will be re-vamped for the
staff to use.
It is all looking good and we are only halfway through the
project! |
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The
Chapel
This, too, needed some tender-loving-care. The Friends agreed
a budget of £10,000 some time ago but progress was
slow. Now we are off!
New chairs and carpet have been ordered, the lighting will
be updated and the whole redecorated. A lighter place will
result yet still a place for worship and reflection, whatever
your faith. |
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The
car park
Car spaces are always at a premium, and the Hospice is
no exception but the site offers only limited possibilities.
However, we estimate eight more spaces for staff will
be found - with the help of the army! The Royal Engineers
have agreed to dig out a bank and remove the soil - a
training exercise we are told! The spoil will go to a
licensed tip free of charge. To all concerned we owe a
debt of gratitude.
We now await planning permission before proceeding, together
with the likely resulting costs. Again thanks to Bob Coleman
and the West Kent Shared Services Agency for their help
and expertise.
So - watch this space! The Working Group are still busy
and I look forward to reporting that all three projects
are completed - on time and within budget.
Tessa
Sillars
Chairman
FOWH Working Group June 2006
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