Cirencester Memorial Hospital in Sheep Street Cirencester

ABSTRACTS of corresp. 2002-2003......

(1)Although not a listed building, Cirencester’s former hospital is one of the town’s important institutional heritage assets, and as such its survival – and continued use for a variety of purposes – is a further example of the re-use of such buildings. Elsewhere in the town the former workhouse, former museum, former waterworks, amongst others - plus several former chapels - have all been given new leases of life. In the view of the Society, there is no prima facie case for the demolition of this particular building, as distinct from its positive re-use.

(2)The building carries great sentimental value in the town, and this has been amply demonstrated by the responses to date to the local newspaper's campaigns to save it. Emotional ties to a particular building can be assets rather than liabilities and they constitute a legitimate part of community heritage, and this has to be given some considerable weighting, alongside factual historical and architectural criteria.

(3)Although the architectural merit of the building(s) as they currently survive may be subject to argument and opinion, the Society feels that the heritage merits of the building may currently be more disguised than apparent by the modern accretions which characterise many such cottage hospital buildings. Care should be taken to assess the entire building history.

(4)That history is readily available and the Society feels that it constitutes a body of information sufficient to make a strong case for Listed Building status. The accumulating historic phases of the building, from 1873-74 onwards, including 1912-13 additions, create the essential cottage hospital character of the principal core of the building, and are important factors here.

(5)In itself the building is a memorial, provided by the Bathurst family, and as such another part of a long-standing Cirencester tradition.

(6)There is an association with the Gloucestershire architect V.A.Lawson (1861-1928), who was Cirencester’s principal architect from c.1900 and whose work is significant in the town, including institutional buildings. Examples are clearly to be seen in the Bingham Library, Bingham Hall and Wilts & Glos Standard buildings, plus additions to several principal private houses in Cirencester and the Cotswolds.

It is the Society’s view that appreciation of local and provincial architects such as Lawson, working in the local idiom, can only increase in the future, and in that regard this building is a significant piece in the jigsaw. Lawson was responsible for the 1912-1913 work.

(7)The Society notes the historic significance of the staircase and the particular story - as a memorial in thanks for hospital care provided for a serviceman – and feels that placing the staircase into store (as reported) is a wholly inadequate proposal, which in practical terms is more likely to lead to its damage and ultimate disposal rather than any positive re-use. The staircase is another architectural detail with community heritage significance.

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DV. 12.03.13

The Bannatyne staircase in Ciren Memorial Hospital

From Cheltenham Chronicle & Glos Graphic Sat 08 September 1917, p.280

Small photo plus text which reads>

‘Major Bannatyne, DSO, the intrepid airman who lies in Cirencester Hospital as the result of an accident to his aeroplane. His machine caught fire, and the gallant officer crawled along the framework, hung on to the tail, and as the machine crashed into a shed, flung himself clear. He was badly burnt and sustained a broken arm and collar bone, besides other injuries.’

Subsequently>

He died on 11 September, at the age of 26
Flight magazine entry under Personals on 20 September provides additional background & biographical details
He was buried in the churchyard at North Cerney, where the substantial grave cover can be seen close by the access path to the church (on left going up)
DV has photos of this grave (prints 001/0073-78 plus DSCN.0266).

Stephen Clews’ article notes on page 16>

‘The First World War had a major impact on the hospital. At Rendcomb an aerodrome was operational, and following accidents to two flyers, the hospital came to an agreement with the military authorities in 1916. The spare bed capacity was furnished by the military authorities in exchange for which the hospital agreed to treat patients from the aerodrome’.

‘The following year the new facilities were completed. The death of Major E.J. Bannatyne, a Rendcomb flier, from severe burns resulted in a donation in his memory by his parents. They provided an electric lift and the fine oak staircase, which can still be seen in the main entrance’.

Sources

Cheltenham Chronicle & Glos Graphic Sat 08 September 1917, p.280
Flight [Magazine] 20 September 1917, p.978

Stephen Clews: Cirencester Memorial Hospital: a brief history of the site and buildings, an internal report for Cotswold District Council, November 1988, 32pp.

Notes updated 10 March 2013

Further information welcomed.

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