Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Rutland County Memorial Hospital Celebrates 100 Years with Art Competition and Storytelling Initiative

Rutland Memorial Hospital Celebrates 100 Years with Art Competition and Storytelling Initiative

Rutland Memorial Hospital is approaching a major milestone – its 100th birthday! To commemorate this occasion, a dedicated group of volunteers is launching a two-pronged initiative: an art competition and a call for stories.

The art competition is open to all ages, with categories for children between 5 and 11, teenagers aged 12 to 17, and adults 18 and over. The theme is fittingly "100 Years of Rutland Memorial Hospital," and entries can be any kind of artwork up to A3 size. Winners will have their masterpieces displayed proudly within the hospital walls and receive a £20 gift voucher. Submissions can be sent by post to Caral Yaxley at Rutland Ward, Rutland Memorial Hospital (LE15 6NT) or via email to Jean Denyer at Jean.Denyer@nhs.net. The deadline for entries is July 9th, 2024.

Beyond the artistic expressions, the volunteers are also actively collecting stories about the hospital. Local resident Jean Denyer, a volunteer at Rutland Memorial since 2019, is spearheading this effort. She's looking for anecdotes of all kinds – from births that took place in the maternity ward (which is no longer operational) to experiences of patients, staff members, and even families of those connected to the hospital.

"No contribution is too small," Jean emphasizes. "We want to hear from anyone who has a connection to Rutland Memorial, no matter how distant."

The stories gathered will be used to create a comprehensive record of the hospital's rich history, ensuring its legacy is preserved for future generations.

This combined effort of artistic expression and historical documentation promises to be a heartwarming celebration of Rutland Memorial Hospital's century of service to the community.