THE TALE OF TWO CORONATIONS

BY KATE STEWART

Memories of the King’s Coronation 2023 by Felpham resident, Stella Freeman Smith

We were on the train in Barnham by 5am and when we got to Victoria we were herded along a very circuitous route to the Mall.

I was a child for Elizabeth II’s Coronation and remember the excitement of the street party and clustering round a very small black and white television. This time I decided to see the real thing in ‘colour’ and my two daughters were up for it as well! They are likely to see another one – I’m not.

We found a spot towards Horse Guards and we made the best of it. A lot of people were already seated in front of the barrier, but we could see everything and hear the commentary over the loudspeakers.

As the King was crowned a gun salute went off and the ground shook. The return from the Abbey was very exciting. The gold coach so impressive, the soldiers immaculate and we saw the Drum Horse, Atlas, not behaving right in front of us! We had great admiration for his rider who only had his feet for control!

After the procession passed, we were allowed on to the Mall as we had hoped. We ended up about 20 metres from the Buckingham Palace gates. We could have got closer, but we wanted to get the best view of all the Royal family out on the balcony.

The flypast was a bit disappointing but hey-ho, English weather, what does one expect?

We finally made our way back to Victoria via Hyde Park just in time for the train home. All in all, it was a very successful and memorable day.

Memories of the Queen’s Coronation 1953 by Felpham resident Irene Boud

I lived in Scotland but my brother was working in London so I went down to stay with him. We got up at 2 o’clock in the morning and took the tube to the West End. People had been camping out for days in the best places but we found a space on the pavement in the Haymarket just off Picadilly, not at the front but still a good view.

Just after daybreak. The news vendors came round shouting that Sir Edmund Hillary had conquered Everest.

It was the afternoon before the coronation procession reached us and we had a good view of the Queen, but for me it was the Queen of Tonga who made the most impression. Despite the rain she rode in an open carriage and was loudly cheered.

In the evening my brother and I went to the Hammersmith Palais to dance the night away. One of my dance partners was a young soldier who had been part of the procession. A memorable day.

Editor: Thank you Stella and Irene.

70 Years Of The Friends Of Bognor Hospital

In 2023 we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of The Bognor Regis Friends of the Hospitals (Registered Charity No.252215). The charity was started by Don Baines and Leslie Smith in 1953 . Don and Leslie were passionate about keeping the hospital open after closure was threatened. They wanted to provide extra facilities for staff and patients that could not be funded by the NHS. In 1991 the two in-patient wards in the hospital were named aft er them.

Since then, the Friends have gone from strength to strength and have funded most of the major projects to enhance the facilities and equipment at the hospital.

In 2023 we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of The Bognor Regis Friends of the Hospitals (Registered Charity No.252215). The charity was started by Don Baines and Leslie Smith in 1953. Don and Leslie were passionate about keeping the hospital open after closure was threatened. They wanted to provide extra facilities for staff and patients that could not be funded by the NHS. In 1991 the two in-patient wards in the hospital were named after them.

Since then, the Friends have gone from strength to strength and have funded most of the major projects to enhance the facilities and equipment at the hospital.

Often, we provide equipment to a far higher specification than the NHS standard, to m ake life easier for patients and staff. For example, in 2019 we purchased six patient treatment couches for use in the Minor Injuries Unit. These are electrically operated , when the NHS standard is manually operated, which has reduced the level of staff absence due to manual handling injuries.

Often, we provide equipment to a far higher specification than the NHS standard, to make life easier for patients and staff. For example, in 2019 we purchased six patient treatment couches for use in the Minor Injuries Unit. These are electrically operated, when the NHS standard is manually operated, which has reduced the level of staff absence due to manual handling injuries.

Over the last five years, we have spent more than £600,000 on projects at the hospital, equivalent to more than £1,500 per staff member. Some projects are large, others much smaller, but all make a significant difference.

Over the last five years, we have spent more than £600,000 on projects at the hospital, equivalent to more than £1,500 per staff member. Some projects are large, others much smaller, but all make a significant difference.

Large projects have included the creation and furnishing of the Chapel in the Hospital, landscaping the front of the hospital (see picture), a complete overhaul of the chapel garden, all new x-ray equipment, a new Bone Densitometry Unit, and a complete refurbishment of the physiotherapy gym including an anti-gravity treadmill to speed recovery from hip and knee surgery.

Large projects have included the creation and furnishing of the Chapel in the Hospital, landscaping the front of the hospital (see picture), a complete overhaul of the chapel garden, all new x-ray equipment, a new Bone Densitometry Unit, and a complete refurbishment of the physiotherapy gym including an anti-gravity treadmill to speed recovery from hip and knee surgery.

Smaller projects inc lude new dementia-friendly clocks, all the TVs in wards and side rooms, fridges and microwaves for staff rooms, and care parcels for in-patients during the Covid lockdowns when visitors were not allowed.

We also look after the planters and all benches outside the hospital, and we run the hospital Tea Bar (now located near the war memorial).

If you’d like to support our work, please visit our website to make a donation via our JustGiving page: www.friendsofbognorhospital.org.uk/join-us/make-a-donation/ We also accept cash, or cheques payable to The Bognor Regis Friends of the Hospita ls, which you can drop off at hospital reception

If you’d like to support our work, please visit our website to make a donation via our JustGiving page: www.friendsofbognorhospital.org.uk/join-us/make-a-donation/ We also accept cash, or cheques payable to The Bognor Regis Friends of the Hospitals, which you can drop off at hospital reception.

Or why not come to our Fete on Saturday 29th July 2023 from 1pm to 4pm at Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital , Shripney Road, Bognor Regis, PO22 9PP

Or why not come to our Fete on Saturday 29 July 2023 from 1pm to 4pm at Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital, Shripney Road, Bognor Regis, PO22 9PP