Fred Woodworth, on behalf of the Friends of Frank James Hospital, shares this latest report. Ed
On Sunday 21st August, the Friends of Frank James Memorial Hospital held a celebration on the Hospital grounds, to mark that the voluntary work commenced in March 2012 will soon be finished and that the owners are taking over responsibility for the building.
The weather was cooperative and there were Wildlife Cupcakes for the occasion, to show that taking care of the building and protecting the wildlife surrounding it can – with a bit of thought and sensitivity – go hand in hand.
Protecting the environment
The Friends went fossil-free a few years ago and have been carefully tending the grounds, making sure that the building is free from vegetation, but that the established wildflower meadows stay until they are seeded, for bees and butterflies to enjoy.
And there have been many spotted, which is a wonderful thing to have in the middle of a town – all the more as bees and butterflies are threatened with extinction on a global level.
Vandalism
Sad to say, there has been stealth and vandalism on the site: Four small scythes have been stolen and various newly planted tree saplings – as well as older trees – have been damaged.
On top of this, a hole has appeared in the roof of the building, possibly due to vandalism, just after it had been weather-proofed in the Urgent Works.
Work due to start soon
The good news is that the owners have stated that they will be commencing work in the very near future.
It is to be hoped that they start as soon as possible and that they perform the work sensitively, with respect for the character of the building and its surroundings, so that this magnificent Grade II Listed building can be allowed to regain its full glory – for the benefit of generations to come.
