Blackpool Times December 1915
 

CHASESIDE HOSPITAL.

RECORD OF GOOD WORK.

The annual meeting of subscribers to the Chaseside Convalescent Hospital for Soldiers, St. Annes, was held last week, in the Parish Rooms.

The committee, in the first annual report, congratulated the subscribers upon the successful establishment and working of the Hospital during the past twelve months. At a meeting of parishioners held in the Parish Rooms on Sunday October 18th, 1914, it was unanimously decided that a fund be established for the support of the Belgian Refugees, and a committee was appointed to arrange and carry on the work. An appeal for subscriptions was issued, which met with a most generous response, both in money and in kind.

Through the influence and kindness of a member of the committee, the two houses (Toll Cross and Chaseside) were placed at the disposal of the committee. These were furnished and made ready for the reception of the refugees, but apart from the difficulties incidental to the launching of a new scheme, special hindrances arose which prevented the committee accomplishing the duty entrusted to them.

Arrangements had just been made for the several families to come into residence when the War Office issued a proclamation making St. Annes a prohibited area, and no aliens were afterwards allowed to enter the district. In consequence of this proclamation the arrangements made by the committee had to be cancelled.

A meeting of the subscribers was held on November 9th, to discuss the situation, when the committee were given authority to extend hospitality to both convalescent Belgian soldiers and refugees. Altogether eight refugees and 20 soldiers had been in residence. About April last the War Office, having decided that no more Belgian wounded soldiers should be sent to the district, the committee offered the accommodation to the British Red Cross Society for the use of convalescent British soldiers.

The subscribers, at a meeting held 29th April, 1915, unanimously approved the action of the committee, and also gave authority to use Toll Cross at any future time for the same purpose. The premises, after being inspected by a Government officer, were approved, and the Hospital was now officially recognised as an Auxiliary Military Hospital for Convalescents.

Fifty-three 'British soldiers have received the benefit of the hospital, 31 have gone back to their regiments, the other 22 being still in residence. The military authorities on several occasions had expressed their satisfaction with the good work done for the soldiers, and the men themselves have gratefully acknowledged the care and attention they have received during their stay in the Hospital.

The statement of accounts showed receipts amounting to £814. Of these £433 were from subscriptions, £68 donations, £127 Government grant for Belgian soldiers, and £180 Government grant for British soldiers. The expenditure amounted to £670, leaving a balance in hand of £143. The chief items of expenditure were maintenance of Belgian refugees, £109; maintenance of Belgian soldiers, £104 ; and maintenance of British soldiers, £278.