THE League of Friends of Wellington Hospital is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year – and to mark the occasion is planning an anniversary fete on Saturday, June 23, in the grounds of Wellesley Park Primary School.

The fete, usually a small indoor event, is being expanded to include a programme of local entertainment, children’s activities, hot food from local suppliers, a bar and stalls and games.

Diane Grabham, from the League of Friends, said: “We see this as a celebration of 50 years of support for the hospital by the local community. It’s a way of recognising those people and organisations who have provided legacies and donations and providing an opportunity for supporters to come and promote themselves.

“We are really excited and pleased with the support already demonstrated. We have entertainment from Wellington Operatic Society, Wellesley Park School Choir, John Walker, Wellington Majorettes and Avtar Bollywood and Bhangra Indian Dance group.

“For children there will be a bouncy castle and inflatable obstacle course, face painting, crafting and football skills. Wellington Bowling Club is bringing along its portable rink and we even have some alpacas. There will be the usual refreshments as well as a barbecue, pizzas, a bar and not forgetting ice-cream.”

Wellington Townswomen’s Guild, Wellington Inner Wheel and West Buckland WI, who are all long-term supporters of the annual fete, will be running stalls as usual. The fete will run from 2-6pm and a range of other stalls and games will be on offer.

Since its formation in 1968 the League of Friends has raised more than £1/2million which has enabled it to provide numerous pieces of equipment, services, furniture and fittings for Wellington Community Hospital and Stratfield House next door, a day centre for people suffering from dementia. It also helped Wellington Maternity Home until it closed.

One member once described the League of Friends as ‘putting the jam on the bread and butter provided by the NHS’.

Diane said: “The League has helped provide a wide range of equipment and facilities, including pressure-relieving mattresses, blood pressure machine, radios, televisions, bladder scanner, painting and furnishing of a quiet room for relatives, adjustable chairs, hoist, ECG machine, garden seat and plants, treadmill and fit cycle for physiotherapy.

“It also funds ongoing aromatherapy and podiatry services for inpatients and fresh flower displays in the day room and outpatient waiting room.”

The League of Friends has 14 members, known as trustees, including chairman Annette Cardwell, vice-chairman Hilda Thornton, secretary Cheryl Bailey, treasurer John Bailey and press secretary Diane Grabham. They meet on the third Tuesday of the month to plan fundraising and receive requests from the hospital and Stratfield House. The trustees recently listened to a presentation on the District Nursing Team and are hoping to support them with equipment for their work with patients in their own homes.

The League holds two main annual fundraising events, the summer fete – usually on the Saturday of Spring Bank Holiday – and Christmas coffee morning, plus occasionally an antiques evening or quiz in March/April.

Diane added: “The hospital is held in high esteem by the local community and this is reflected in the generous donations and bequests the League of Friends has been privileged to receive from individuals and organisations.”