St. Ann's Hospice

Moving into the 20th century, I had a look at the 1911 census for St Ann’s Hospital. That showed that there were 28 rooms with 57 females. I am assuming therefore that that was 2 ladies per room and 1 Matron, Miss Muriel Mary Farr. At the outbreak of WW11, a register was compiled on the 29th September 1939, for everyone living in England and Wales. This has proved to be such a valuable document, as the 1931 census was destroyed by fire and there was no 1941 census, as the war was on. This showed that Philip Fenna, deputy head male nurse at the mental hospital, born 1899, was living with Ethel his wife, born 1896 in the building that they referred to as St Ann’s Villa. Her job title was unpaid domestic duties. There is no mention of any patients. In the house next door to the hospital, on land that eventually became the Gleneagles Estate was a house called Westview. Here lived John Stott born 1865 who was the head male nurse for the mental hospital. Living there also was Gladys, who was born 1906. I am assuming she was his daughter, due to the age difference, and the fact that her name was crossed out for Pimlott (her eventual married name). Her job title was also unpaid domestic duties.

3. St. Ann's Hospice

Moving on again to 1969, a very significant date. This was the year that a group of local women, with wealthy husbands, got together to create the Starkey Committee. Headed by Dr Moya Cole, a consultant at the Christie Hospital. It was her that approached the Bishop of Manchester to say that a hospice was needed for the people of Manchester. Another innovative idea, as there were only 2 in the country, both in London. These were St Joseph’s and St Christopher’s. So began fundraising for the next 2 years until St Ann’s Hospital was bought off Cheadle Royal in 1971 and renamed St Ann’s Hospice. At that time, it was being used for elderly patients.

The people of Heald Green really took to the idea of raising funds and looking back to the Heald Green Herald newspaper of June 1970, there were some cracking ideas that made money for this to become a reality. Our residents realised just how lucky they were to have been chosen and raised money through raffles, social evenings with food like potato pies,  Tupperware parties, green shield stamps and challenging walks. The churches came together to also raise funds to buy a bed. The idea I liked the best was something called a vanishing coffee party! 1 person invited 7 friends for coffee and they paid at least a shilling to be there. Each guest would then go away and invite 6 friends for coffee, who in turn would then invite 5. So it went on until there was no one left. If everyone only paid a shilling, they would raise £585 this way, a lot of money in 1970.

St Ann’s Hospice was opened by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, in June 1971. She wore pastel pink with beige accessories and met with dignataries and invited guests as well as staff.