WINSFORD Hospital is soon to become the centre of the community again now its back in the ownership of the local people.

Contracts have been signed and the Winsford Trust is setting about the task of getting the building ready to open as a multi-use community facility later in the year.

In nine months, the huge challenge to find the £168,000 to purchase the building from the Northern Devon Healthcare Trust has been reached, thanks to numerous donations.

The majority of the money was acquired from national charitable trusts but West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett raised £20,000 from events in the House of Commons, SWEB chipped in with a large amount and many donations were received from individuals.

The 100-year-old Grade II hospital building was designed by renowned architect Charles Voysey and given to the community by Louisa Webb-Medley in 1900.

Its life as a hospital came to an end in August, 1998, in a cost-cutting exercise by the local health authority, after a six-year battle by the League of Friends to keep it open.

Now in the new millennium, the residents of Halwill are feeling, at last, that its future as a public facility is assured in their safe hands. The range of services to be offered will include a doctor's surgery, day care centre, chiropody and aromatherapy clinic.

Campaigner Sandra Willetts said every little bit of money helped the cause but the support and encouragement from the local people was just as important.

'It made us realise that we were doing the right thing,' she said. 'The support showed that Winsford was wanted, needed and part of Halwill and would be tragic if it was lost.'

She said Halwill had lost so much over the years with the railway closing and as well as being a very important facility for the community, the building was also of major architectural importance.

'This is the only Voysey building in public ownership and people from all over the country can have access to it,' she said.

'Although we will not have any in-patient beds, it will still provide the sort of service the original benefactor intended which is something we have tried to keep as part of the project all along.'

The clean-up team has been given all sorts of items to fit out the building but are appealing for more kitchen equipment and furniture.

An open day has been scheduled for Saturday when people can go along and talk to the Trust members about the plans for Winsford.

More ideas are being sought for ways to utilise the building. Mrs Willetts added:

'Anything that is going to help people fulfill their lives is good as far as we are concerned — well being is not just about healthcare so we need to address the social and welfare side as well.'