Dining Club

THE PRIMROSE DINING CLUB

On the 11 September 2000 a group of local women decided they wanted to do something for patients at The Primrose Hospice. The “something” they came up with was a Dining Club which would be open to membership of both men and women and who would meet 4 times a year to raise money solely for the use of patients at the Hospice. They knew that many other clubs had come and gone and to try to keep this one going they decided to only meet 4 times a year and offer quality speakers and/or entertainment. Since that date over £40,000 has been raised through the membership and gone towards patient facilities at the Hospice in St Godwalds Road.

There has been a number of memorable speakers over the years including Ed Doolan (who was the inaugural speaker) Christine and Neil Hamilton (although Christine did all the talking), Dr Carl Chinn, Tommy Mundon, Leslie Smith, Don MacLean, Sir Kenneth Calman, Lady Moon. We have even had “a man with a Hoss”, but that’s another story. It was felt that the club must always offer quality instead of quantity to keep membership increasing. The original members came from friends and friends of friends and totalled in the region of 80 each paying a membership fee of £10 per annum.

What has the money been spent on?

We have refurbished a quiet room for counselling purposes (twice) We have provided new kitchen equipment for the new extension, we have also provided bathroom hoists, hydraulic therapy beds, garden refurbishment, paid for a week’s costs for the inpatient facility at The Princess of Wales Hospice Ward ( total of £8,000). This year we have paid for part refurbishment of the bathroom facilities and the setting up of a multi-faith room where patients can sit in a quiet calm environment. Requests for items or funds is made by the Nurse Manager.