Sisters, patients, staff and friends of Holy Cross Hospital gathered on Friday March 22 for a tree planting ceremony in memory of Sister Mary Agnes.

Agnes was a former matron and Sister Superior at the hospital and began in 1981 when the hospital only had 100 beds which included neurological patients.

Determined to continue the hospital’s work in caring for people with very severe neurological conditions, Agnes worked to oversee the building of a new 40-bed hospital which opened in 1992 before retiring in 2002. 

It was her inspiration that led to the construction of the hydrotherapy pool and out-patient physiotherapy service used by many people from Haslemere and surrounding areas today.

The Acer griseum memorial tree was planted by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux.

He and his wife were invited by former High Sheriff of Surrey Dr Karin Englehart, a member of the hospital’s advisory committee.