Top Prize for St Nicholas Hospice
The First Prize won at the ELD 2009 Summer Party is passed to St Nicholas Hospice Care, Bury St. Edmunds
It was a beautiful , sunny summers day in June, when ELD celebrated their 10th Anniversary Party. The Champagne flowed and canapes were passed amongst the 75 or so guests that joined the ELD team for 'An Afternoon in the Garden'.
During the afternoon, we held a prize draw, offering significant prizes of over £2,000 of free ELD Consultancy time to 3 lucky winners. The £1,000 First Prize, was won by Terry Ball of Kester Cunningham John; an acquisition solicitor for many major developers, with offices based across East Anglia. Other winners were Andrew Sutton of Signet Planning in London who won £750 and Lee Melin of Bidwells in Chelmsford, who won £350 of free consultancy.
Terry has kindly donated his prize to the charity, St Nicholas Hospice Care, located behind West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds. They are a charity providing a special service for people with terminal and life threatening illnesses and their families, working in partnership with other professionals in health, social care and education. They aim to improve the quality of lives of patients and their families during life shortening illness and bereavement.
The Hospice's Chief Executive Officer, Barbara Gale said, 'We are thrilled with the donation and have already put it to good use. ELD is currently preparing drawings and cost estimates for a major funding bid to significantly improve the grounds for patients around the Hospice. We are very excited about the proposals so far'.
The Hospice is set within a mature woodland across a graded slope to the rear of West Suffolk Hospital. The trees are covered by Tree Preservation Orders and a matrix of paths wind through the woods to provide an enchanting environment for patient recovery. An existing terrace and water feature are the main features to the lower garden that faces south into the mid day sun.
Key areas under review include the structure and layout of terraces; gradients and finishes to paths through the woodland and around the gardens; provision of raised borders to allow patients to grow their own plants and vegetable; provision of an outdoor smoking room and shaded gazebo feature, with a new water feature that acts as a focus and sculpture to all key views.
Outline drawing preparation has been completed with cost estimates for landscape improvements to permit the production of the application Bid for funding. if the Hospice is successful in their Bid, ELD will be appointed to formally prepare detailed design plans for planning approval and construction, to permit the works to go ahead within an agreed budget.
The fundraising contact number for St Nicholas Hospice Care is 01284 747 624, and their web site is;
Watch this space as the Bid progresses...