Growing Support for Townlands Memorial Name

Mike Willoughby from the Henley Lest We Forget project has been delighted with the positive and growing support to his petition to have the new hospital named the Townlands Memorial Hospital.  Last week Mike spent a few days in Henley visiting all of the shops and businesses asking for people to sign the petition as well as getting many guests at the Mayor Making ceremony to sign.

Mike said, “The results so far has surprised even us.  When I explain to people the background, the predominant comment being ‘why would anyone object?’”

Mike has written to NHS Property Services (NHS PAS) after they made a statement, “We recognise the importance of the hospital to the town and would be interested to know whether there is any wider support for the idea of changing the name of Townlands Community Hospital.”

NHS Property Services are currently calling it the hospital Townlands Community Hospital on their website and all their paperwork.

Mike said “I’ve made NHS PS aware of the petition and the growing support for the name.  He said in his email, “The naming of the hospital is within you gift. We think that the best gift that you could give the people of Henley, especially those with the longest memories and of local families is to concede just that one word.  My children were born there and without doubt it will always be referred to as “Townlands” but if it says Townlands Memorial Hospital over the door at least it will bring smiles to a number of faces.”

The petition is still available to sign at Henley Over 60’s club, the Christ Church Centre, Hot Gossip, Richard Ways Bookshop and Bell Bookshop.