Stoke Hospital Receives Donation from Guildford Lions

Published on: 19 Aug, 2017
Updated on: 22 Aug, 2017

Stoke Hospital, the charity home in Stoke Road, has been presented with a cheque for £500 from Guildford Lions to help refurbish its accommodation.

Clerk to the trustees Shona McConnell said: “Maintaining this historic, grade II listed building is a constant drain on resources, and with no endowment the charity’s only source of income is residents’ contributions. So we are always looking for other sources of funding whether it be in the form of grants or donations.

Lions club president Deric Quaile is pictured with fellow Guildford Lion, Mike Ryan, presenting a cheque for £500 to the vice-chairman of the trustees of Stoke Hospital, Sheila Oviatt-Ham. Also in the photo are fellow trustees, Mike Gibson and Sue Harris, together with a few of the residents.

“One of our trustees suggested we contact Guildford Lions, who support small charities in the local area. We were delighted when they agreed to make a donation towards installing a shower unit for one of our residents who is having difficulty with the bath. The trustees hope to have the work carried out in the autumn.”

The Hospital of William Parson, known locally as “Stoke Hospital”, is not a hospital in the modern sense. It was built in 1796 when “hospital” meant a hospice or charity home.

Stoke Hospital, Stoke Road, in the early 20th century.

In the second half of the 18th century William and Henry Parson traded successfully as linen and woollen drapers in a shop situated where Tunsgate Square is now, just off the High Street in Guildford.

When the brothers retired they determined to build and endow a “hospital” intended for the benefit of poor widows.

The Hospital of the Blessed Trinity, in Guildford High Street (“Abbot’s Hospital” as it is known colloquially) had been built for a similar purpose, although for men too, in the 1720s, as a legacy to his home town by George Abbot. But under terms he laid down it was strictly for those who lived within the town boundary of Guildford, which in those times excluded the extensive parish of Stoke.

Henry Parson died before the brothers’ scheme in Stoke could be put into effect, but William completed the project and the building was finished in 1796.

There are two brass memorials to the brothers in Stoke Church, St John’s, where they worshipped. The memorials bear their heraldic arms.

Trustee McConnell continued: “The hospital held an open garden event in July which was very successful, attracting over a 100 visitors to the garden and raising a fantastic total of £671. This money will be used for improvements in the garden for the benefit of all residents.

“Unfortunately we are not able to take part in Heritage Weekend this year, due to other commitments of the trustees and clerk, but we hope to take part in 2018.”