THE MAYOR of Pershore has called for parts of the town’s former hospital to be retained to form a memorial as part of the site’s redevelopment.
Coun Tony Rowley urged Pershore Town Council to request for talks with prospective new owners of the Pershore Cottage Hospital after it was placed on the market by current owners NHS Property Services.
The Pershore Cottage Hospital has stood derelict on Defford Road following its closure more than ten years ago and could soon be turned into affordable housing.
Concerned town councillors would like to see a part or parts of the historical building retained before it is potentially demolished as a mark of respect to those who founded the hospital which was built in 1895 following a fund-raising campaign
by the people of Pershore.
The future of the building was discussed during last Thursday’s (November 20) town council meeting and Coun Rowley urged
town clerk Ann Dobbins to write to the NHS and Wychavon District Council to launch talks with those looking to buy the site.
“Such discussions should involve a memorial as part of the redevelopment by way of either retention of part or parts of the
building or utilising significant building materials derived from the building to mark the sighting of the Cottage Hospital and in
memory of all those Pershore people involved in the forming of the hospital,” he said.
Former Mayor Coun Charles Tucker said: “There is a feeling that we want to preserve as much of it as we possibly can. Many people in the town remember it with great fondness.”
Coun Rowley’s proposal was backed by fellow councillors and, after the meeting, Patricia Freeman, chairman of the Friends of Pershore Hospital, who told the Observer the proposal was a ‘wonderful’ idea.
But Coun Chris Parsons said he was surprised councillors were talking about protecting parts of the building when they showed little interest when the subject came to matter during his time as Mayor a few years ago.
“I am rather surprised at this turn of attitude,” he said.
“I think the building is now beyond saving and I think we could probably be on a hiding to nothing. I feel very sad that there was
no support a few years ago when the building could have been restored.”
An NHS Property Services spokesman said: “We are pleased to confirm the former hospital is now on the market.
“We are also aware of interest in the possible re-use of the original brick name sign and will of course include this in discussions regarding the site.”
