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
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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
In the right place at last
NOT every League ambition on behalf of patients can be achieved swiftly. Some take a little longer, others an eternity.
After the Irvine Unit (originally the Bexhill Geriatric Unit) opened four decades ago it left the kitchen in the main hospital block which later went over to outpatient service and the inpatients way down at the bottom of the site in the Irvine Unit.
Various League initiatives over the years (decades!) to fund the transfer of the kitchen failed. At one stage hospital staff were using a League-funded electric van to transfer food from one building to the other.
Now League and Trust representatives have had the pleasure of celebrating the fact that the Irvine Unit now has its own kitchen.
Some months ago the League happily acceded to a Trust Bid (invitation) to spend around £90,000 on converting space in the unit Undercroft (cellar).
On Wednesday, December 10th in answer to Catering Services Manager Martin Gurney’s invitation to a “party,” Trust and League representatives gathered in the Conservatory where refreshments were being served.
At intervals, Martin escorted small groups down to see how part of the Undercroft had been plastered and decorated and a state-of-the-art kitchen installed.
Martin showed where contractors now unload pre-prepared meals every two days. He showed guests the immense freezer room, the dry store, the massive oven and the rest.
In the kitchen, Trust staff ready the meals which are taken by lift directly to the central Atrium and the bedded bays above. They also prepare soup and sandwiches when required and special dietary dishes.
Assistant Chef Russell Cumber explained: “This is the best kitchen I have ever worked in.
“It is much more modern than the old one. It is a lot smaller but that is good because the old kitchen was a lot too big than we needed.
“It is a lot easier to clean and the rationale is a lot more modern.”
Martin Gurney summed up the transformation: “It makes such a difference for the team.”
Upstairs, Trust Assistant Director of Facilities Michelle Clements thanked the League for funding the transformation and for all its “amazing” work on behalf of patients and staff.
NOT every League ambition on behalf of patients can be achieved swiftly. Some take a little longer, others an eternity.
After the Irvine Unit (originally the Bexhill Geriatric Unit) opened four decades ago it left the kitchen in the main hospital block which later went over to outpatient service and the inpatients way down at the bottom of the site in the Irvine Unit.
Various League initiatives over the years (decades!) to fund the transfer of the kitchen failed. At one stage hospital staff were using a League-funded electric van to transfer food from one building to the other.
Now League and Trust representatives have had the pleasure of celebrating the fact that the Irvine Unit now has its own kitchen.
Some months ago the League happily acceded to a Trust Bid (invitation) to spend around £90,000 on converting space in the unit Undercroft (cellar).
On Wednesday, December 10th in answer to Catering Services Manager Martin Gurney’s invitation to a “party,” Trust and League representatives gathered in the Conservatory where refreshments were being served.
At intervals, Martin escorted small groups down to see how part of the Undercroft had been plastered and decorated and a state-of-the-art kitchen installed.
Martin showed where contractors now unload pre-prepared meals every two days. He showed guests the immense freezer room, the dry store, the massive oven and the rest.
In the kitchen, Trust staff ready the meals which are taken by lift directly to the central Atrium and the bedded bays above. They also prepare soup and sandwiches when required and special dietary dishes.
Assistant Chef Russell Cumber explained: “This is the best kitchen I have ever worked in.
“It is much more modern than the old one. It is a lot smaller but that is good because the old kitchen was a lot too big than we needed.
“It is a lot easier to clean and the rationale is a lot more modern.”
Martin Gurney summed up the transformation: “It makes such a difference for the team.”
Upstairs, Trust Assistant Director of Facilities Michelle Clements thanked the League for funding the transformation and for all its “amazing” work on behalf of patients and staff.
Irvine Unit Xmas gifts
EVERY good Christmas story should have a happy ending. This one is no exception.
The last time League of Friends committee members were able to undertake their traditional Christmas Morning visit to the Irvine Unit bearing gifts for the patients was before the COVID lock-down.
Since then, COVID, norovirus and influenza outbreaks have precluded the personal bed-side hand-over each year.
Sadly, Christmas 2025 looked like being another repeat. This time it was the virulent ‘flu variant that stopped the visitors at the door.
However, all ended well.
Firstly, Santa’s Little Helpers in the guise of League Chair Nigel Ray, his wife and fellow League committee member Lynda and Vice Chairman Molly Dowling had been busy packing 60 gift bags with an assortment of items of use to folk in hospital and as a cheering gesture from the League.
Unit Service Manager Intermediate Care Julie-Anne Neuss and colleagues gathered beneath the Christmas tree in the reception area on Monday, December 22nd to receive Nigel and Lynda and two cars-full of goodies and to thank them.
It looked like it would be left to Irvine Unit staff to distribute the gifts on behalf of the League.
Then came a last-minute (i.e. Christmas Eve) message from Rehab Coordinator Iris Leung that the unit had been declared free of infection. Would the League like to undertake its first Christmas Morning visit of the decade?
At short notice, Nigel Ray and Molly Dowling (accompanied by your Editor with camera) turned out – suitably masked for the occasion. Kindly guided by Medical Orderly Tanya, they loaded a medicine trolley and toured the bedded bays and single rooms in the gaily-decorated unit bringing a little Christmas cheer.
EVERY good Christmas story should have a happy ending. This one is no exception.
The last time League of Friends committee members were able to undertake their traditional Christmas Morning visit to the Irvine Unit bearing gifts for the patients was before the COVID lock-down.
Since then, COVID, norovirus and influenza outbreaks have precluded the personal bed-side hand-over each year.
Sadly, Christmas 2025 looked like being another repeat. This time it was the virulent ‘flu variant that stopped the visitors at the door.
However, all ended well.
Firstly, Santa’s Little Helpers in the guise of League Chair Nigel Ray, his wife and fellow League committee member Lynda and Vice Chairman Molly Dowling had been busy packing 60 gift bags with an assortment of items of use to folk in hospital and as a cheering gesture from the League.
Unit Service Manager Intermediate Care Julie-Anne Neuss and colleagues gathered beneath the Christmas tree in the reception area on Monday, December 22nd to receive Nigel and Lynda and two cars-full of goodies and to thank them.
It looked like it would be left to Irvine Unit staff to distribute the gifts on behalf of the League.
Then came a last-minute (i.e. Christmas Eve) message from Rehab Coordinator Iris Leung that the unit had been declared free of infection. Would the League like to undertake its first Christmas Morning visit of the decade?
At short notice, Nigel Ray and Molly Dowling (accompanied by your Editor with camera) turned out – suitably masked for the occasion. Kindly guided by Medical Orderly Tanya, they loaded a medicine trolley and toured the bedded bays and single rooms in the gaily-decorated unit bringing a little Christmas cheer.
