The trustee and Master Governor of Trinity Hospital, Canon John Patrick, Subdean of Lincoln, officially opened the new Trinity Estates Office on Bridgegate on 4th July 2018. He unveiled a plaque commemorating the occasion in the presence of members of staff, brethren of Trinity Hospital and guests. These included Carl Andrews, the architect of the conversion of the former Newcastle Arms into six apartments and the new Estates Office, and the contractor, Steve Sowerby of T G Sowerby Developments Ltd, who undertook the renovation and refurbishment.

The former Victorian coaching inn was bought by the charity in 2015 after the building had closed in 2014. The building was in a very sorry state but the renovations have restored and brought this Grade II Listed building back to life. The purchase of the property brings it back into the Charity’s ownership, having sold it previously in 1934.

The pictures below show the Master Governor, Canon John Patrick, and guests at the office opening event...

A traditional Burns Supper was held in the Darrel Room on the evening of 25th January 2017. It was the idea of Michael Cowgill, who has been a brother at Trinity Hospital since 2012. Michael, who is quite a chef, cooked the Haggis, neaps and tatties for a select gathering of 10, who sat down to dine. The Bailiff, Bob Rabagliati, gave the address to the Haggis and David Bean delivered the Selkirk Grace. Several whiskies were presented for 'testing' during the course of the evening, which was enjoyed by all. It was unanimously agreed that the Memory of Robbie Burns should be celebrated in a similar fashion in future years. This was another 'first' for the new Darrel Room, which is proving such a success at Trinity Hospital since it was finished just over a year ago.

The Darrel Room was built as an extension at the rear of Trinity Hospital in 2015. The purpose of the extension was to provide a Garden Room, a social area, which would be a welcoming and practical space for use principally by the Brethren. Its large glass folding doors give a panoramic view of the rear gardens and lead out onto a patio area with a significant water feature and fish ponds.

The Darrel Room is a multi purpose space and has been extensively used for coffee mornings, birthday parties, dinners, presentations, film nights, Charity events and general relaxation. Attached to the Darrel Room is a new hospitality suite, where guests of the brethren or staff may stay overnight in ‘en suite’ accommodation. New laundry facilities were built as part of the project and a redundant outside building was converted for this purpose.

The architecture and construction of the building recently won a Regional Local Authority building Control Award (LABC) and narrowly missed a second award at the National LABC awards in London in November 2016. However, a submission has been made for consideration of the Almshouses Association Patron’s Award in 2017.

The Trinity Feast was held on 11th June 2015. The chapel service was conducted by the Trinity Hospital Chaplain, Canon Dick Lewis, which was followed by lunch in the Rufford Room at the West Retford Hotel, which proved a popular venue while the new extension was being built at Trinity Hospital.

The guests were Ms Elise Bailey, a graduate of Exeter College and recipient of the John Darrel Scholarship. She spoke on the different forms of dress worn by students during their time in college and gave an insight into life at Oxford University. She was accompanied by her father, Mr Robert Bailey.

The Revd Dr Mark Vasey-Saunders, Vicar of St Michael’s church at West Retford was also a guest at the event. All the brethren and staff attended the event, at which the Bailiff distributed the traditional Trinity Cake and Cheese to each of the Brethren and guests. The event was enjoyed by all who attended.

The Darrel Room is a multi purpose space and has been extensively used for coffee mornings, birthday parties, dinners, presentations, film nights, Charity events and general relaxation. Attached to the Darrel Room is a new hospitality suite, where guests of the brethren or staff may stay overnight in ‘en suite’ accommodation. New laundry facilities were built as part of the project and a redundant outside building was converted for this purpose.

The architecture and construction of the building recently won a Regional Local Authority building Control Award (LABC) and narrowly missed a second award at the National LABC awards in London in November 2016. However, a submission has been made for consideration of the Almshouses Association Patron’s Award in 2017.

The community of Trinity Hospital, along with invited guests, joined the congregation of the Parish Church of St Michael in West Retford for a specially crafted Communion service to commemorate the 350th anniversary of Dr Darrel's death exactly 350 years ago to the day.

The service was led by the Vicar of St Michael's Revd Dr Mark Vasey-Saunders, the lesson was read by Mr Simon Barlow, a brother at Trinity Hospital and the Master Governor and Subdean of Lincoln, Canon John Patrick, gave a most appropriate sermon on the subject of 'Legacy'.

The organ was played by another brother from the Almshouses, Michael Cowgill. The service drew much praise for its content and the commemoration it gave to the charity's founder.The service was followed by a seated luncheon for 150 guests at the West Retford Hotel, attended by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire, Mr Tom Fremantle, Sir Rick Trainor, the Rector of Exeter College, Oxford, who proposed a toast to Dr John Darrel. Students from the counties of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire have benefitted over the centuries from the Darrel Scholarship awards.