“We battle constantly to stop hospital services leaking to the east,” said Dorset County Hospital Patient Governor Michel Hooper-Immins at the annual dinner of Honorary Court Highclere No. 1 Weymouth of the Ancient Order of Foresters at Weymouth Golf Club.
Speaking as Sub Chief Ranger [Vice President] and moving the toast to the civic authority, Mr. Hooper-Immins said he and the new Chief Ranger, Alderman Andy Hutchings- also a Patient Governor- were fighting to keep all hospital services at Dorchester. Both Governors are Weymouth born and have been friends for over 50 years.
“Patients tell us they don’t want to travel 35 miles to Bournemouth for treatment,” continued the Sub Chief Ranger. “One idea under discussion in the current review of clinical services is to admit stroke and heart attack patients to Dorchester Hospital for only 14 hours a day. Outside that period, at night, patients would be bounced along the A35 to Bournemouth in an ambulance. Our doctors say some patients may not survive the journey. As always the argument is really about saving money- but at what cost to patients’ lives?”
“I watch with unease the move towards centralisation and how Weymouth has been largely taken over by West Dorset,” continued Mr. Hooper-Immins. “West Dorset has since taken over North Dorset and now there’s talk of a super council including Bournemouth and Poole. Weymouth and Melcombe Regis seems already to have lost its identity in the first merger- has it been worth it to save a few shillings?” he asked. “The danger is that eventually everything will be run from Bournemouth, which seems to exert far too strong a magnet on public services in West Dorset.”
Mayor of Weymouth & Portland Coun Christine James, in replying to the toast, assured members: “some of us are fighting to keep our identity, but we may have to resort to parishes.” She continued: ” being Mayor is an opportunity to meet all the groups and societies the town has. Without all the people who volunteer their time, the town would be much worse off.” The Mayor concluded by saying she would always speak-up for people and thanked Andy Hutchings and Michel Hooper-Immins for working so hard for NHS patients as Public Governors. The Mayor was accompanied by Mayoress Trish Chorley, who received a special welcome and presented with a bouquet of flowers by the Chief Ranger.
“We live in a great borough, I have lived in Westham for 64 years,” said Chief Ranger Alderman Andy Hutchings,” we have elected a Mayor since the 1600s and Weymouth must not lose its unique identity.” He announced the raffle had raised £125 for his charity, the National Coastwatch Institution at Portland Bill. The Chief Ranger then presented a £150 cheque to the Mayor for her Christmas fund.
Honorary Court Highclere No. 1 Weymouth of the Ancient Order of Foresters has met in Weymouth four times a year since 17 October 1887, when it was founded by Pelly Hooper, Town Clerk of Weymouth & Melcombe Regis for over 20 years.
The Honorary Court met at the Guildhall from 1887 and from 1974 at the new Council offices. In 2012, the Court moved to the Grade II listed Pilgrim House in Hope Square, owned by Weymouth Rotary Club. The Ancient Order of Foresters was founded in 1745 at Knaresborough Castle.
The Honorary Court The Honorary Court is today an altruistic organisation that raises funds for local charities. New members are welcome and enquiries about joining the Honorary Court should be made to Secretary Munro Ross at 01305 784320.
