Thanks to Tanja Rebel for this report from yesterday’s session at the former Frank James Hospital. Ed
Sunday 14 October saw another great gathering at former Frank James Hospital with many supporters – amongst whom several youngsters – putting down a huge effort. It was a glorious day and much work was done!
We also had a steady stream of visitors popping in and out during the day, bringing tea and biscuits and other refreshments to keep us going.
One kind visitor brought her delicious homemade pasties and flapjacks, which are becoming a monthly tradition.
A lot of back-breaking work was done to take away plants which are encroaching on the building.
These plants are really destroying the brickwork, which is coming down in several places, and it is truly paramount that something is done to save the building soon…
No show for owners or developer
Typically, none of the developers or owners came, although one had indicated that this time he would.
We have invited them now on four occasions, but as yet none of them has showed up on the day. This is very unfortunate as they need to see all this for themselves.
Apparently, revised plans for the building seem to yet again have hit upon resistance from the Council, which really should do everything to enable work to get started soon. However, that shouldn’t hinder the owners from taking care of the building so that it doesn’t fall apart at the seems.
The more time goes, the harder and dearer it will be to restore it and restore it we must. One volunteer, whose father stayed in the hospital as a patient, was crying yesterday because he found it so heart-breaking to see the building in this state.
One young supporter wondered how it can be allowed to let a building of this quality stand and deteriorate like this. When the younger generation start asking these questions, it should really make us think about how we value our own heritage…
Endangered Buildings List
English Heritage has now put Frank James on its Endangered Buildings List and it is time that the Isle of Wight Council, the developers and owners together start to take responsibility for this beautiful building.
We owe this to the Frank James brothers, the people of East-Cowes to whom the building was bequeathed as well as future generations who deserve to see this building in full use and in its full glory.
Kind regards from Tanja Rebel
Image: © Friends of the Frank James Hospital
