COLTISHALL COTTAGE HOSPITAL

by Chris Weston

Should you have missed the first half of this story in the last edition, here’s a quick recap of the Introduction to Part l followed by a potted history of the Hospital: -

Every day, dozens if not hundreds of motorists travelling through Coltishall on the B1150 may have no idea that at one point, they pass a former hospital site. The building still stands today, but now accommodates a different type of resident. But where was it and who provided it?

Coltishall has long enjoyed the existence of several facilities, all originally ‘provided’ by the same donor, Robert Atkinson Gorrell (1804-1904). One of these was the Cottage Hospital, located on the High Street, between today’s Coltishall Pharmacy (once betterknown as a local branch here of Roys in Hoveton which later became a U-Save Discount store with its bright orange carrier bags and black wording) and Old Bakery Court, nearer the Little Hautbois road junction. The pharmacy site has also carried forward with it, memories of the original Roys Bakery. Before it finally closed in 1975, the bakery was held in such high regard that other bakers travelled from near and far to admire and learn from the business. It seems fewer people shopping in smaller specialist stores and new laws following the bakers’ strike of 1974 caused the Coltishall bakery’s demise.

The Cottage Hospital opened in 1881 and in the financial year 1911/12, was recorded as having 8 beds and was otherwise able to cater for up to 46 patients. Later becoming The Hermitage Rest Home, it closed in the 1990’s on safety grounds. So today, the properties of the former hospital complex have all become private dwellings. The idea of corridors with

A few months before the Covid epidemic began, I was unexpectedly fortunate to meet the outgoing resident of the “old hospital property” in Coltishall just before moving out to his new location. And while waiting for the removal men to complete their final load, he told me some of its history and allowed me a look inside.

Some of the hospital’s corridors he told me, had once been on different levels and here and there, some ceilings were suddenly lower than expected - as he’d often discovered!! This first arose when the original hospital building was extended into the adjoining building behind, built at a different time. It somehow seemed I was in a fascinating building of long ago and could easily have been described as going back to a much earlier era.

While the hospital continued to function as such, any difference in levels wasn’t a particular problem but by the 1990’s, such quirks didn’t strictly conform to European standards, so closure was the only option. The entire property then subsequently became flats and apartments but architecturally it still retains some of its external former features.

© Chris Weston, June 2023 sudden but slight rises or falls in level wasn’t new to me, as many residential properties within the Close surrounding Norwich Cathedral have been that way for a long time and some may still be so.

School in Hoveton. This involved teams coming together to compete true Rotary spirit of Service above Self” we have members ready and www. wroxhamandhovetonlions.org and clicking on the link “Fundraising

FM (FIDE Master) Martin Walker ran a training session for 12 Aylsham Library Chess Group (ALCG) players on Wednesday 3rd May. Martin's session included puzzles, playing through a classic game and some end-game practice. ALCG is aimed at people interested in playing chess in a relaxed, not overly competitive, environment. This free group meets in Aylsham Library on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday mornings of every month.

For details of ALCG and North Walsham Library Chess Club (which meets on Friday afternoons) visit: www.communitydirectory.norfolk.gov.uk

For details of local chess clubsincluding Aylsham, Broadland (Horstead) and North Norfolk (Sheringham) visit: www.norfolkchess.org

Alternatively, contact Jonathan Reeve via e-mail: aylshamchessclub@gmail.com or Tel: 01263-733744

Note FIDE - Fédération Internationale des Échecs - The International Chess Federation or World Chess Federation.

Photo (Top Right)

Aylsham Library Chess Group (ALCG) players - Alan Stevens playing Pia Henderson (in the foreground).

Photo (Below)

FM (FIDE Master) Martin Walker running his ALCG training session.

Womack Herons is a friendly social group with a year round programme of events in the Northern Broads and Norwich areas. We meet once or twice a month, usually mid-week. Our get-togethers could include a pleasant walk, quiz, talk or visit to a place of interest, but always with the opportunity to eat together -a picnic, BBQ or a pub meal. All events are accessible by road; during the season, some are also riverside. We welcome visitors and new members; membership is £5pp/pa. For information and full details of events see www.womackherons.org.uk; to book contact Tricia at tricia@womackherons.org.uk or 07931 301606.

Our events in June and July are: Tues June 20th: Summer BBQ in the garden in Ludham: arrive after 12.30. BYO food to cook, chairs etc.

Fri July 14th: River cruise skippered by the Nancy Oldfield Trust. Leave from Ludham Bridge 10.30am. £17pp; Numbers limited. Followed by lunch at The Kings Arms, Ludham, 1pm. Book by 6th July. Advance notice of our picnic lunch at Thurne Dyke on Tuesday August 1st, 12.30pm BYO food and chairs.

Whb Twinning Association

Only two months now until our Twinning visit to La Pommeraye and Montjean-sur-Loire, 9-15th August 2023, and currently we have a party of 47, a mixture of old and new members, our biggest group ever, I think. There is a possibility of a few more joining in too, various other commitments permitting. We are all looking forward to the excellent hospitality which we always receive, our visit to Monet’s Gardens en route and the varied excursions in our lovely Loire Twinned region.

We are hoping to fit in one or two social occasions before then, weather permitting: a Garden Party at one of our members’ houses has been volunteered and we have a definite social evening booked on Friday 28th July at Robert and Margaret’s in Wroxham, where we will also give out final details to our Twinning visit travellers. Unfortunately, we don’t think we have enough boat owning members now to host our annual flotilla and it is getting more difficult to find places to raft up.

Book Club is continuing with our 15 or so members, still on Zoom with our far-flung participants but we must try and get together this summer. April was “Two Steps Forward” by Graeme Simsion, Christine’s choice and May was Mal’s choice of “Still Life” by Sarah Winman, both universally enjoyed. Pat can get copies of most of our books from Wroxham library, who are always very helpful, and can supply more information for now on 01603 782375 or pat.barkergreen@btinternet.com. For any more information please contact us, via Peter, on 01603 782733 or peter_c_milsted@talk21.com