The Rev. Arthur Mignot and his wife, Eileen, unveil a portrait of the Rev. Peter Mignot at the Mignot Memorial Hospital reopening. (Picture by James Varley, 0558511)
ALDERNEY’S Mignot Memorial Hospital reopened last week following a £6.2m. facelift – and after its opening ceremony, I was given a guided tour of the revamped facility by administrator Marc Sumner.
The refurbishment has created a considerable amount of extra space for both patients and staff.
Marc said the hospital’s new facilities had helped push its health centre into the 21st century.
‘The facilities we have now don’t compare to those previously,’ he said.
‘Our new X-ray machine means fewer people will be sent to Guernsey and our continuing-care residents will be more comfortable than ever before.’
During the opening ceremony, Rev. Arthur Mignot unveiled a portrait of one of his ancestors, the Rev. Peter Mignot, who funded the island’s first hospital, which was built in Victoria Street in 1926.
Arthur spoke at the event and told the assembled party that he had been born in the hospital that his great-uncle had helped build just three years after it had opened.
‘Mignots have been in Alderney since 1664, so I think it’s wonderful the name will forever be associated with the island,’ he said.
‘I don’t think my two sons will ever return to Alderney, so my wife and I may be the last generation to live here.’
Arthur said he considered it to be an important day.
‘In fact, I’ve described it as Mignot Day in my diary,’ he said.
‘I was very touched to be asked to unveil the portrait of my great-uncle.’
The new facilities may have cost millions of pounds – but they are considered well worth the money. Health care in Alderney has now entered a new era and that is something to be grateful for.
STATES members, developers and consultants are available to talk to when plans for the commercial quay are presented to the public tomorrow. Work on the £9.5m. scheme will begin on 12 May and an exhibition detailing the States’ plan of action will be held in the ferry passenger terminal building from 10am to 7pm.
As I mentioned last week, the commercial quay is one of the island’s lifelines and the importance of its refurbishment should not be underestimated.
The show will communicate exactly what work is to be undertaken and will include information on temporary changes to the harbour.
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