Andover War Memorial Hospital has marked 100 years since officially opening its doors, with a programme of celebrations, remembrance, and community events bringing people together to honour a century of care.
For generations, the Charlton Road hospital has been a place of care, service, and remembrance for the community, with roots going back to a small cottage hospital established in Junction Road in 1876.
The current site was created as a lasting memorial to local service personnel who lost their lives in the First World War and was officially opened in 1926 by Field Marshal Viscount Allenby, before joining the newly formed National Health Service in 1948.
Since then, Andover War Memorial Hospital has continued to evolve to meet local needs, while remaining guided by compassion, dedication, and strong local support, values staff say continue to shape the care it provides today.
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To commemorate the centenary, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust invited local people to share their memories, photographs, and stories from across the decades, with contributions now being brought together in a digital display celebrating the hospital’s history through the voices of the community it serves.
The centenary programme included a special event for current and former staff on Tuesday, July 7, marking 100 years since the hospital site first opened, and offering an opportunity to reflect on its history and recognise the dedication of staff past and present.
Hampshire Hospitals Charity’s Party in the Pavilion on Saturday, August 1, is also set to welcome the wider community to come together and celebrate the milestone, following the charity’s popular Colour Run.
The free event will feature stalls, refreshments, and live music, providing a relaxed, family-friendly way for people to show their support for the hospital.
From former nurses and doctors to porters, volunteers, patients, and visitors, generations of families in Andover and the surrounding area have a connection to Andover War Memorial Hospital, making the centenary a poignant moment for the town.
Sue Harriman, Chief Executive at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the 100th anniversary was "an incredible moment for Andover War Memorial Hospital and for the community it has served for generations," praising the "skill, commitment, and compassion" of staff whose work has shaped a century of care.
Iris Andersen, who worked at the hospital through the 80s, said: "A lovely cottage hospital and everybody knew everybody. We all worked together it was a very happy environment, lots of people that work there have all stayed friendly, we all know one another, we can speak to anyone. It's a good community hospital and we a re very lucky to have it. It could grow even bigger with the large population that we've got in Andover."
