Special reunion as Bishop visit James Paget Hospital

Bishop Alan Hopes visited the James Paget hospital in Gorleston on April 2 and for one member of staff there was the opportunity for a very special reunion, 40 years on.

Bishop Alan visited several wards at the hospital and spoke to staff and patients before celebrating Mass in the hospital chapel.
But for one member of staff it was a very special reunion – as paediatric medical secretary Vicky Eastlake and her husband Les were married by the Bishop 40 years ago. Then a vicar in London, he married the couple in Tottenham in December 1978.

A couple of years later Vicky and Les moved to East Anglia – with Vicky starting work at the James Paget in 1986. When she heard about Bishop Alan’s visit to the hospital she contacted the chaplaincy team who arranged the meeting during the visit.

Hospital lead chaplain, Rev Dr Alan Palmer, said: “We were delighted to welcome Bishop Alan to the James Paget, with staff taking the opportunity to speak with him about their work and patients gaining comfort from his presence. It was such a pleasure and a blessing.

“We would like to thank him for visiting and have extended an invitation for him to return as he is sure to receive a warm welcome.”

Pictured top is Bishop Alan Hopes reunited with Vicky and Les Eastlake, 40 years after he married the couple.

Pictured below is Bishop Alan with James Paget Chair Anna Davidson, Chief Executive Anna Hills, Director of Nursing Julia Hunt, Medical Director Hazel Stuart) and other chaplaincy and staff members, including Lead Chaplain Rev Dr Alan Palmer and Deputy Lead Chaplain Rev Daniel Pritchard.

Pictures by James Paget Hospital.

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