Photographs relating to this article, including those in this extract, may be found in Gallery 7.1
In 1943 an Executive Committee was formed with Rev R E Robson as Chairman. The objective was to raise £20,000 for Prudhoe’s own cottage hospital. The Committee favoured a cottage hospital rather than a maternity hospital.
Money was to be raised by various means, street collections, trades union to recommend a weekly contribution from their members, bring and buy sales, hospital saving certificates, concerts organised by Mr Wright at the cinema, and families were asked how much they were prepared to subscribe.
Builders and contractors thought that the Castle could be converted into a cottage hospital. Therefore, Mr Potts who held a 20 year lease on Prudhoe Castle and had 13 years still to run, was asked if he was willing to vacate the castle if suitable accommodation could be found.
Although many initiatives were started to raise money, it became obvious to the Committee that they would need a substantial boost to their fund. They then asked the neighbouring villages of Wylam, Ovingham, Ovington and Stocksfield to co-operate and raise sufficient money to endow a ward. The name of the fund was changed to Prudhoe and District to accommodate this.
In September 1947, four years after the Memorial Hospital fund was started, a financial statement showed only:
£790.14s5d in the General Fund and
£23.3s.5d in the Administration Fund
The fund fell well short of its target of £20,000 and owing to lack of public support it was closed.
Then began the task of disposal of funds. Public notices were put in the papers requesting subscribers to apply for a refund, or give instructions as to how they wished their funds to be disposed of. Prudhoe Urban District Council and ICI workers sent in forms for a refund (they had been paying 2s.2d per week). Many workers gave their refund to the Royal Victoria Infirmary. Mr Wright at the Rio Cinema, who had held concerts, had his refund of £65 .0s.3d returned and given to the Cinematography Trade and Benevolent Fund.
When all monies that could be refunded were paid £511 .3s.2d remained in the fund. It was suggested by T Philipson in a letter to the Rev R E Robson that the balance went towards a large concert hail, reading room and café.
Money was to be raised by various means, street collections, trades union to recommend a weekly contribution from their members, bring and buy sales, hospital saving certificates, concerts organised by Mr Wright at the cinema, and families were asked how much they were prepared to subscribe.
Builders and contractors thought that the Castle could be converted into a cottage hospital. Therefore, Mr Potts who held a 20 year lease on Prudhoe Castle and had 13 years still to run, was asked if he was willing to vacate the castle if suitable accommodation could be found.
Although many initiatives were started to raise money, it became obvious to the Committee that they would need a substantial boost to their fund. They then asked the neighbouring villages of Wylam, Ovingham, Ovington and Stocksfield to co-operate and raise sufficient money to endow a ward. The name of the fund was changed to Prudhoe and District to accommodate this.
In September 1947, four years after the Memorial Hospital fund was started, a financial statement showed only:
£790.14s5d in the General Fund and
£23.3s.5d in the Administration Fund
The fund fell well short of its target of £20,000 and owing to lack of public support it was closed.
Then began the task of disposal of funds. Public notices were put in the papers requesting subscribers to apply for a refund, or give instructions as to how they wished their funds to be disposed of. Prudhoe Urban District Council and ICI workers sent in forms for a refund (they had been paying 2s.2d per week). Many workers gave their refund to the Royal Victoria Infirmary. Mr Wright at the Rio Cinema, who had held concerts, had his refund of £65 .0s.3d returned and given to the Cinematography Trade and Benevolent Fund.
When all monies that could be refunded were paid £511 .3s.2d remained in the fund. It was suggested by T Philipson in a letter to the Rev R E Robson that the balance went towards a large concert hail, reading room and café.