The November 2022 edition of Barts Guild News is now available here on the site, and includes an update on the return of the trolley service, a feature on the talented ladies of Barts Guild Crafts, and an update by Will Palin (Chief Executive of Barts Heritage) on the Sharing Historic Barts project.

This latest BGN also includes the reflections of Chris Hayward at the end of his first year as the Guild’s Chairman, and his letter is reproduced below:

As I come to the end of my first year as your Chairman I do so with a sense of immense pride in the commitment of our Guild served so
devotedly by its Management Committee and Volunteers.

We have ‘weathered the storm’ of the Coronavirus Pandemic during which we were able to keep our shop in the hospital open although sadly not able to operate our trolley service around the wards. However, I am pleased to report that the Trolley is now back in action.

At our belated ‘Christmas Party’ I was able to recognise the inspiring successes and commitment of a number of our volunteers who had devotedly served our Guild over a number of years (see BGN Issue 19). Our volunteers are at the very heart of what we are about and what we do, proactively keeping our presence as a constant in the life and work within the Royal Hospital of St Bartholomew. To each of them I say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for all that they have done and continue to do.

I also want to record my thanks to my fellow Officers and members of the Guild’s Management Committee. They too are volunteers who work together to strategically lead the long-term success of our ancient charity. And it is of course our charitable giving
to good causes and projects in the hospital that makes such a practical difference to the recipients of our many grants.

In particular, I want to mention our donation of £50,000 to the refurbishment project of the Great Hall. This is by far the largest ever grant we have made to this very special project and our Guild name will be recorded for posterity in the Great Hall of St Bartholomew as a result.

So, as we prepare to celebrate the 900th Anniversary of our Royal Hospital next year I can record that your Guild is in ‘good heart’ and
remains as it has always been devoted to the needs of others.

I am proud to lead such a dedicated team as your Chairman and I look forward with relish to the coming year.

With my warmest good wishes to all of you.
Christopher M Hayward
Chairman