Cranleigh Society’s feasibility project to save the 15th Century cottage at the front of Cranleigh Village Hospital is looking good!
Thank you for joining our community! Cranleigh Society supports numerous projects in the village, and interacts with many who provide services, with a view to shining a light on what is happening and holding those to account who represent us all.
Cranleigh Society open meeting and AGM will take place on 7th December, 7pm Band Room, Cranleigh, all welcome. We would also like new people to join the team – is that you?
Some of you are particularly interested in keeping up to date, and possibly supporting – taking part – in the Napper Cottage project. We can agree that the cottage and its story are fascinating!
Update so far
December 2020 – the cottage – at the front of Cranleigh Village Hospital – was in a very poor state of repair and has been unused since around 2010. Cranleigh Society formally complained to NHS Property Services who then made some essential repairs with our team’s input. No other group wants to help save this cottage. It is not fit for medical uses.
Your Support – Many people in and around Cranleigh have responded to our team and our questionnaires – if the cottage could be saved what would they like to see taking place there – and we enjoyed meeting folk at the monthly Artisan Markets.
The Cranleigh Society Team – has worked on the feasibility of saving and using the cottage, separately from the functioning hospital, and NHS Property Services have offered a lease to a charity.
Highlights –
Established the two most important aspects of the cottage –
- the building is very old, grade II listed and has not been altered much over the centuries
- the building became the first cottage hospital in England which led to a cottage hospital movement and the ethos of the NHS in terms of funding health care for those in need
A new charity – The team has been joined by others and formed a Charity named Cranleigh Heritage Trust. Trustees and a committee are in place.
Public engagement seeking ideas for its future, through conversations and questionnaires, including at the monthly Artisan Markets in Cranleigh.
Agreed a vision for the cottage which, at this stage, includes
- The first Cottage Hospital in England open to the public to view, where heritage items can be displayed, being changed regularly, exploring the life and times of the cottage since 1446.
- Meetings for health and wellbeing in this cosy, charming, historic cottage, and spaces for rent that are different from others in the area.
- Tourist information and welcome for newcomers, including website links.
- Education for all, especially schools and colleges.
Feasibility study – Applied for and received grants to carry out feasibility study – this involved structural and various other surveys which showed the building can be saved.
Business planning – this has begun and the case made to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to see if they agree this building can and should be saved and used.
Open meeting – if you can attend please do go and hear more about the 2 years’ work and be part of this exciting High Street challenge! After the meeting further details will be published here so do check in often. A new questionnaire will be added to the website too.
Plea – we are keen to welcome more talented people to both Cranleigh Society team and Cranleigh Heritage Trust charity. Please get in touch – you can comment in the box below or email membership@cranleighsociety.org
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Thank you.
Cranleigh Society
