The League of Friends of
Bexhill Hospital -
Working for the good of
Local patients since 1952
Reg. CIO Charity No 1169175 Sunbeams 41 Broad Oak Lane Bexhill-on-Sea TN39 4LG Email info@bexhillhospitalfriends.org.uk
Welcome to our website
HOME
JOIN &
DONATE
DONATE
NEWS
STORIES
STORIES
VOLUNTEER
HISTORY
We’re open!
THE Bexhillian who creates King Charles’ military uniforms offered his tailor’s shears to the League Chairman so Nigel Ray could cut a ceremonial ribbon and so re-open a long-missed amenity.
Bexhill born and bred, tailor Malcolm Plews holds the Royal warrant. Among the many military uniforms he has crafted for the sovereign over many years was that used for the Coronation.
For many years, the League operated coffee shops in both the hospital outpatients’ department and the Irvine Unit foyer. Sadly, five years ago and with COVID raging, the health trust needed the space in the Irvine Unit for storage and the shop had to close.
Now the Irvine Unit coffee shop is open once more, offering a range of sandwiches, sweets and beverages for the benefit of patients, staff and visitors.
Just how much the facility has been missed was demonstrated on Monday, September 8th when the ribbon-cutting ceremony was witnessed by a large number of staff – who immediately formed a queue to stock up on its wares.
Under a heading proclaiming: “We’re open!” the Coffee Shop is displaying an extensive list of its wares.
Balloons and coloured streamers framed the Coffee Shop opening as the Chairman welcomed everyone and introduced Malcolm Plews.
Holding the ribbon were Malcolm Tysoe and Graham Cox while fellow Coffee Shop committee colleagues Alison Turner and Christine Madeley were behind the counter in readiness for the shutter to go up proclaiming that the enterprise was back in business.
Afterwards, Trust Service Manager, Intermediate Care Julie-Anne Nuess said how delighted staff were that the Coffee Shop had been re-opened. It had been sadly missed.
In addition to providing a much-valued service for patients, staff and visitors alike, the two Coffee Shops generate income which aids the League’s work of providing the latest hi-tech medical equipment for Bexhill patients.
Malcolm Plews, a friend of Nigel’s, began his tailoring career immediately after leaving school, training with the then well-known local firm Frederick Gower in Devonshire Road. Today, in “semi-retirement,” he still travels to his London business, Malcolm Plews Bespoke Tailor, three days a week.
THE Bexhillian who creates King Charles’ military uniforms offered his tailor’s shears to the League Chairman so Nigel Ray could cut a ceremonial ribbon and so re-open a long-missed amenity.
Bexhill born and bred, tailor Malcolm Plews holds the Royal warrant. Among the many military uniforms he has crafted for the sovereign over many years was that used for the Coronation.
For many years, the League operated coffee shops in both the hospital outpatients’ department and the Irvine Unit foyer. Sadly, five years ago and with COVID raging, the health trust needed the space in the Irvine Unit for storage and the shop had to close.
Now the Irvine Unit coffee shop is open once more, offering a range of sandwiches, sweets and beverages for the benefit of patients, staff and visitors.
Just how much the facility has been missed was demonstrated on Monday, September 8th when the ribbon-cutting ceremony was witnessed by a large number of staff – who immediately formed a queue to stock up on its wares.
Under a heading proclaiming: “We’re open!” the Coffee Shop is displaying an extensive list of its wares.
Balloons and coloured streamers framed the Coffee Shop opening as the Chairman welcomed everyone and introduced Malcolm Plews.
Holding the ribbon were Malcolm Tysoe and Graham Cox while fellow Coffee Shop committee colleagues Alison Turner and Christine Madeley were behind the counter in readiness for the shutter to go up proclaiming that the enterprise was back in business.
Afterwards, Trust Service Manager, Intermediate Care Julie-Anne Nuess said how delighted staff were that the Coffee Shop had been re-opened. It had been sadly missed.
In addition to providing a much-valued service for patients, staff and visitors alike, the two Coffee Shops generate income which aids the League’s work of providing the latest hi-tech medical equipment for Bexhill patients.
Malcolm Plews, a friend of Nigel’s, began his tailoring career immediately after leaving school, training with the then well-known local firm Frederick Gower in Devonshire Road. Today, in “semi-retirement,” he still travels to his London business, Malcolm Plews Bespoke Tailor, three days a week.
Specialised equipment
IRVINE Unit patients will benefit from the purchase of specialised equipment costing a total of almost £36,000 thanks to the League of Friends.
The charity’s General Committee unanimously approved two Bids (requests for equipment) from unit staff at its meeting on September 11th.
Emma Quigley from the unit’s Therapy Department sought the League’s help in obtaining two pieces of equipment to enhance the care and rehabilitation of patients.
She said that patients’ needs were becoming increasingly complex and the department’s seating options were not meeting their requirements.
The League is funding the £9,986 cost of three specialised Accora chairs. Two will be dual-motor, tilt-in-space chairs designed to be compatible with a variety of patient transfer aids. A further chair will allow severely disabled patients to take a shower. Emma said the unit currently has no available options for complex patients who are unable to maintain a safe seating posture in the shower.
Amy Tennant from the Therapy Department had asked for two Toro Theratrainers. She said a two-week trial with these devices had brought an overwhelmingly positive response from both patients and staff.
The unit’s previous trainer had been in use for more than 10 years and had recently been condemned.
New guidelines for treating stroke patients and those with spinal cord injuries meant that the department needed to increase patients’ activity levels and give them increased therapy during their stay.
The new trainers could be easily manoeuvered throughout the 54-bed unit where demand for them would be high.
The League is therefore funding the £25,990 cost of the trainers.
IRVINE Unit patients will benefit from the purchase of specialised equipment costing a total of almost £36,000 thanks to the League of Friends.
The charity’s General Committee unanimously approved two Bids (requests for equipment) from unit staff at its meeting on September 11th.
Emma Quigley from the unit’s Therapy Department sought the League’s help in obtaining two pieces of equipment to enhance the care and rehabilitation of patients.
She said that patients’ needs were becoming increasingly complex and the department’s seating options were not meeting their requirements.
The League is funding the £9,986 cost of three specialised Accora chairs. Two will be dual-motor, tilt-in-space chairs designed to be compatible with a variety of patient transfer aids. A further chair will allow severely disabled patients to take a shower. Emma said the unit currently has no available options for complex patients who are unable to maintain a safe seating posture in the shower.
Amy Tennant from the Therapy Department had asked for two Toro Theratrainers. She said a two-week trial with these devices had brought an overwhelmingly positive response from both patients and staff.
The unit’s previous trainer had been in use for more than 10 years and had recently been condemned.
New guidelines for treating stroke patients and those with spinal cord injuries meant that the department needed to increase patients’ activity levels and give them increased therapy during their stay.
The new trainers could be easily manoeuvered throughout the 54-bed unit where demand for them would be high.
The League is therefore funding the £25,990 cost of the trainers.
PRIVACY
POLICY
POLICY
Supper dance success
A SECOND League supper dance success was chalked up when the doors opened to a sell-out evening at Little Common’s Poppy Club on October 11th.
Following the format they established at the first event in 2024, League Chair Nigel Ray and Vice Chairman Molly Dowling again booked popular local band The Chandeliers.
A delicious hot supper was served with efficiency by club staff.
The Chandeliers’ skilled rendering of the first of a succession of time-honoured hits immediately filled the dance floor with merry-makers, a process which continued throughout the evening.
Thanking the crowded hall for the support shown to the League, Nigel Ray was able to inform diners and dancers of the charity’s recent work. Prominent was the £100,000-plus given to the new Combe Valley mental health hospital including a secure, free-to-use, television for each of the 54 bedsides.
In addition to hi-tech equipment for Bexhill Hospital’s Irvine Unit, the League has supported its counterpart, the Conquest Hospital Friends in supplying equipment benefitting Bexhill patients cared for there.
To applause, the Chair reminded the assembly that in the last 25 years alone the League has provided equipment totalling £12.5m for the benefit of local patients. To further applause, he also announced that another supper dance is planned for 2026.
A well-stocked raffle table also sported a selection of portraits by local artist Roy Bugden. Roy, whose four-hour portrait sessions normally cost between £350 and £500, had kindly offered a free sitting to be auctioned.
League immediate past-chairman Mark Sivyer is a professional auctioneer with his own Bexhill gallery.
Mark soon got the assembly in competitive mode. Bidding which started at £50 climbed by £10 increments until it topped at £280.
The evening is expected to have added £1.655 to the League’s coffers in readiness to provide further equipment for the benefit of local patients.
The Chandeliers’ first number had been “What a Night.”
What a night indeed!
A SECOND League supper dance success was chalked up when the doors opened to a sell-out evening at Little Common’s Poppy Club on October 11th.
Following the format they established at the first event in 2024, League Chair Nigel Ray and Vice Chairman Molly Dowling again booked popular local band The Chandeliers.
A delicious hot supper was served with efficiency by club staff.
The Chandeliers’ skilled rendering of the first of a succession of time-honoured hits immediately filled the dance floor with merry-makers, a process which continued throughout the evening.
Thanking the crowded hall for the support shown to the League, Nigel Ray was able to inform diners and dancers of the charity’s recent work. Prominent was the £100,000-plus given to the new Combe Valley mental health hospital including a secure, free-to-use, television for each of the 54 bedsides.
In addition to hi-tech equipment for Bexhill Hospital’s Irvine Unit, the League has supported its counterpart, the Conquest Hospital Friends in supplying equipment benefitting Bexhill patients cared for there.
To applause, the Chair reminded the assembly that in the last 25 years alone the League has provided equipment totalling £12.5m for the benefit of local patients. To further applause, he also announced that another supper dance is planned for 2026.
A well-stocked raffle table also sported a selection of portraits by local artist Roy Bugden. Roy, whose four-hour portrait sessions normally cost between £350 and £500, had kindly offered a free sitting to be auctioned.
League immediate past-chairman Mark Sivyer is a professional auctioneer with his own Bexhill gallery.
Mark soon got the assembly in competitive mode. Bidding which started at £50 climbed by £10 increments until it topped at £280.
The evening is expected to have added £1.655 to the League’s coffers in readiness to provide further equipment for the benefit of local patients.
The Chandeliers’ first number had been “What a Night.”
What a night indeed!
THE League of Friends has lost a true friend and a highly effective and ever-enthusiastic partner with the death of Irvine Unit Chaplain the Rev. Neville Barnett.
Neville died in the Eastbourne District Hospital on November 27th, aged 88. He had devoted more than 40 years to the Hospital Chaplaincy Service. His last visit to the Irvine Unit had been only four days before he was taken ill.
Neville once described the Irvine Unit to me as “the jewel in Bexhill’s crown.” He was whole-hearted in his support for the work of the unit and for the dedication and commitment of its staff.
He repaid this with many years of equally sincere and devoted service to the unit, to its patients and their loved ones and to the staff.
Neville was a firm believer in the healing power of music and a great admirer of the Arts in Healthcare service which brings live music into the hospital environment.
He found a ready ally in the League of Friends, which readily acceded to his initial request a decade ago for a piano for the Irvine Unit.
From that beginning sprang a highly effective working partnership. From his contacts, Neville would source over the years a succession of musical talent, good folk willing to play in the unit’s central atrium or its conservancy to audiences of patients able to get there by Zimmer frame or wheelchair and knowing that their music would filter into the adjoining wards.
Over the years, the unit has rung to the peal of handbell ringers, echoed to the youthful voices of Chantry Community Primary School Choir. Whether cellist or harpist, pianist, violinist or folk band, musicians of every sort and music of every genre has brought joy to patients, visiting families and staff alike.
Neville truly revelled in the creative atmosphere his endeavours had made possible; never failing in his after-recital vote of thanks to the artist or artists to acknowledge the support of the League of Friends in funding the Arts in Healthcare programme.
It was entirely fitting that his time with the Hospital Chaplaincy Service should have been commemorated so beautifully (and in such a timely fashion) in February 2025 when colleagues and staff staged a surprise party for him in the unit’s conservatory.
Ever-ready to respond when needed, Neville willingly turned up as requested to what he had been told would be a “special meeting.”
When he pushed aside a tin-foil curtain screening the unit conservatory door he discovered he had been “ambushed.”
Forty years of devoted work via the Chaplaincy Service were being acknowledged.
Candles and cake, wall photos picturing Neville active in the unit, refreshments and a warm welcome awaited him.
His face registered even more surprise when he found that his wife, Janet, had been spirited into a gathering which included not only his Chaplaincy colleagues but unit Matron Theresa Dann and as many of her staff as could be spared briefly.
Characteristically, Neville recovered enough of his composure to quip that as an 87 year-old he intended to continue to serve the Irvine Unit “For as long as my Boss allows...”
The League of Friends will sorely miss a true friend. We send our sincere sympathy both to Janet and to their son, Ian, who was often among his father’s chosen artists where Arts in Healthcare service was concerned.
John Dowling
Neville died in the Eastbourne District Hospital on November 27th, aged 88. He had devoted more than 40 years to the Hospital Chaplaincy Service. His last visit to the Irvine Unit had been only four days before he was taken ill.
Neville once described the Irvine Unit to me as “the jewel in Bexhill’s crown.” He was whole-hearted in his support for the work of the unit and for the dedication and commitment of its staff.
He repaid this with many years of equally sincere and devoted service to the unit, to its patients and their loved ones and to the staff.
Neville was a firm believer in the healing power of music and a great admirer of the Arts in Healthcare service which brings live music into the hospital environment.
He found a ready ally in the League of Friends, which readily acceded to his initial request a decade ago for a piano for the Irvine Unit.
From that beginning sprang a highly effective working partnership. From his contacts, Neville would source over the years a succession of musical talent, good folk willing to play in the unit’s central atrium or its conservancy to audiences of patients able to get there by Zimmer frame or wheelchair and knowing that their music would filter into the adjoining wards.
Over the years, the unit has rung to the peal of handbell ringers, echoed to the youthful voices of Chantry Community Primary School Choir. Whether cellist or harpist, pianist, violinist or folk band, musicians of every sort and music of every genre has brought joy to patients, visiting families and staff alike.
Neville truly revelled in the creative atmosphere his endeavours had made possible; never failing in his after-recital vote of thanks to the artist or artists to acknowledge the support of the League of Friends in funding the Arts in Healthcare programme.
It was entirely fitting that his time with the Hospital Chaplaincy Service should have been commemorated so beautifully (and in such a timely fashion) in February 2025 when colleagues and staff staged a surprise party for him in the unit’s conservatory.
Ever-ready to respond when needed, Neville willingly turned up as requested to what he had been told would be a “special meeting.”
When he pushed aside a tin-foil curtain screening the unit conservatory door he discovered he had been “ambushed.”
Forty years of devoted work via the Chaplaincy Service were being acknowledged.
Candles and cake, wall photos picturing Neville active in the unit, refreshments and a warm welcome awaited him.
His face registered even more surprise when he found that his wife, Janet, had been spirited into a gathering which included not only his Chaplaincy colleagues but unit Matron Theresa Dann and as many of her staff as could be spared briefly.
Characteristically, Neville recovered enough of his composure to quip that as an 87 year-old he intended to continue to serve the Irvine Unit “For as long as my Boss allows...”
The League of Friends will sorely miss a true friend. We send our sincere sympathy both to Janet and to their son, Ian, who was often among his father’s chosen artists where Arts in Healthcare service was concerned.
John Dowling
Thank you, Neville