Very many thanks to everyone who attended the Annual Hospital Church Service which was held at Holy Trinity Church, Stroud on Sunday 15 October 2017.

NHS staff, members of the League of Friends, volunteers from Stroud General Hospital as well as hospital supporters from the local community, met together with the congregation of Holy Trinity Church for this Hospital Church Service.

The Chaplains at the service were Revd Dr Alison Evans – Free Church, who was also the preacher this year, Father Jeff Green – Church of England and Canon Tom Gunning – Roman Catholic.

As always, a very warm welcome was given to all and we are, again, extremely grateful to the vicar, Revd Simon Howell, the Churchwardens and the congregation of Holy Trinity Church for their hospitality on the evening.

The Supertroopers Choir led the hymns during the service and also performed two songs which were both very much enjoyed by the congregation. This year, we were also joined by the school choir from the Rosary School in Stroud.  They sang a lovely song about kindness and caring for others as well as their own Rosary School song.  The two choirs, one of school children and one of more mature ladies and gentlemen, were both very much appreciated and provided a most uplifting sound in Holy Trinity Church.

The service was lively, humorous and interesting with an update from Sister Helen Acock about recent developments in the services at Stroud General Hospital and Revd Dr Alison Evans told us about the facilities available for mums to be at Stroud Maternity.

The new Chair of Stroud Hospitals League of Friends, Dr Roma Walker introduced herself to the congregation saying that she hopes to continue the very valuable work of the previous long term Chair, Mr David Miller and the recent interim Chair, Dr Gordon Horner.

Revd Dr Alison Evans gave a very relevant and entertaining address about the kindness and caring that staff give to patients here at Stroud General Hospital and many of the congregation stayed after the service for refreshments and a chat.

Photo shows:  Members of the Supertroopers Stroud Age Concern Choir with their Conductor, Pauline Thomas