Benenden Hospital’s foundation stone, which was laid in 1906, has recently been restored.
The restoration work was carried out by Cleverley and Spencer stonemasons, who are in Dover and Ashford.
The foundation stone was covered in white paint and was stained, mainly by soot, as it had been above a fireplace. It had also suffered some damage over the past 109 years. A hole had been filled, but not professionally.
The stonemasons had the foundation stone for around four weeks. It took them four solid days to clean it. Cleverley and Spencer have also repainted the words in gold paint.
The work was carried out by Ivor Spencer, his son Paul Spencer and Alan Heather. Ivor had a previous association with the Hospital as his aunt was a TB patient many years ago.
On July 14 1906 the stone was laid by Her Royal Highness Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, Princess of Great Britain and Ireland.
Next year the Hospital celebrates 110 years.
Published on 20 July 2016