Leckhampton Court Manor House to Hospice

1 December 2011

Sue Ryder-Leckhampton Court Hospice has recently been proud to launch the second edition of "Leckhampton Court: Manor House to Hospice" written by Cheltenham based local historian and long term Sue Ryder supporter Eric Miller.

In the second edition of his book originally printed in 2002, Eric again revisits the rich history of the court. Going back over 1,000 years to a time before the Norman Conquest, he details the key moments of the building's history and evolution leading to its aquistion by Lady Ryder in 1977 to create Gloucestershire's first and only in-patient hospice.

Components of the current building date back to the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries and Eric colourfully illustrates life at the court and its denizens during the ages through its many incarnations from family home, to red cross hospital to prisoner of war camp, to public school to eventually become the hospice is it today.

Amongst the colourful characters to have had some association with the court over the years, were HRH King Edward VII who was a regular visitor whilst he was still Prince Of Wales and the possibility that Hollywood actor Mickey Rooney may have visited the court whilst his US Army unit was billeted at there during WWII.

For those who know Leckhampton Court Hospice or perhaps don't know all of its secrets, this fascinating history is well worth a read.

We are always happy to hear stories and receive visitors connected to the history of Leckhampton Court and recently to its time as a hospice. If you have any stories or indeed any pictures you'd like to share we'd love to hear from you.

The book (ISBN 978-1848766-402) is available through the hospice and if you'd like a copy or if you have a story to share you can call us on 01242 246162.

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Sue Ryder

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