| Seaford Gazette 8th August 2001 | ||
 |
||
PRECIOUS memorials to young men who died in the war could be lost if St Mary's Nursing Home chapel is demolished. The chapel is structurally unsound and the nursing home is likely to be closed as soon as new homes are found for its 47 residents. Owner Westminster HealthCare is considering knocking down the old building, which cannot be brought up to the standards demanded by government for modern healthcare, and building a brand new, state of the art nursing home in its place. But the former owners of St M ary's, from when it was a school, and a former teacher are horrified that the chapel's memorial stones could be lost. The chapel was a l7th century barn that was taken brick by brick from Ripe to Seaford and rebuilt by the headmaster and children with the help of builders Pettits in 1926. Former teacher Ann Hubbard said, 'A lot of the boys laid a lot of the bricks. 'A lot of the boys sadly were killed in the Second World War and their memorials are in the chapel, laid into the window sills. 'Our feelings are that if the chapel can't be saved then when they build a new nursing home a new chapel should be incorporated and all the memorial stones should go into it.' Famous pupils of the school included the crown prince of Thailand, Sid James' son, the Kabara of Uganda and David Jacobs' sons. Peter Barrett became headmaster of the school in 1952. His wife Jane said, 'The chapel has been a very special place. 'It is an absolute disaster that it might be knocked down because when we left it it was in good condition and over the years they have simply let it go.' Mrs Hubbard showed the Gazette a letter from Mrs Harris, who bought the school from Mr and Mrs Barrett in 1969. She wrote, 'The memory of my first visit to the Kingsmead chapel will never fade. 'The atmosphere that comes from years of worship is felt at once. 'I walked around and looked at all the names and wondered what the boys are doing now. 'I do hope the chapel will continue to be used by old boys, their parents, staff and all who would like to come to Kingsmead.' A spokesman for Westminster Health Care said, 'Obviously we want to do everything we can to meet the feelings of the local people. 'We are meeting the museum this afternoon (Monday) and we are talking to the local church about the most appropriate place to reposition these stones as and when the building comes down. WOULD you like to join Mrs Hubbard's campaign to save Kingsmead Chapel's memorial stones? Then please call her on 01323 898105. |
||