Andover War Memorial Hospital is marking 100 years since it officially opened its doors to the local community.
The hospital, on Charlton Road, was officially opened on 30 June 1926 by Field Marshal Viscount Allenby.
Its roots go back even further, to a small cottage hospital established in Junction Road in 1876.
The Charlton Road hospital was later built as a lasting memorial to local service personnel who lost their lives during the First World War. It joined the National Health Service in 1948.
For generations of Andover families, the hospital has been part of local life, whether through care, work, volunteering, fundraising or visiting loved ones.
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says the centenary is being marked with a programme of celebration, remembrance and community events.
The Trust is inviting people to share memories, photographs and stories of Andover War Memorial Hospital from across the decades. These will be used to help create a digital display celebrating the hospital’s history through the voices of the community it serves.
A staff event was held on Tuesday 7 July to bring together current and former colleagues.
The wider Andover community will also be able to take part in the centenary celebrations at Hampshire Hospitals Charity’s Party at the Pavilion on Saturday 1 August.
The free event will take place at Wherwell Cricket Club from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm, following the charity’s Colour Run earlier in the day.
Hampshire Hospitals Charity says the Party at the Pavilion will give the community the chance to come together and celebrate 100 years of Andover War Memorial Hospital caring for local people.
The event is expected to include stalls, refreshments and live music.
Sue Harriman, Chief Executive at Hampshire Hospitals, said the centenary was an “incredible moment” for the hospital and the community it has served.
Donna McCormack, Andover War Memorial Hospital EFM Site Coordinator, said many people have a personal connection to the hospital through working there, receiving care, visiting loved ones or supporting fundraising.
The hospital’s history remains closely tied to Andover’s own story. Heritage records describe it as a war memorial hospital built in 1925 and 1926, funded by public subscription and designed with south-facing wards, a modern operating theatre, X-ray provision and staff accommodation.
A foundation stone at the hospital records its dedication to the memory of the men of Andover and neighbourhood who died during the First World War.
Anyone with memories, stories or photographs connected to Andover War Memorial Hospital can share them with Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as part of the centenary project.