Hospice History

 St Cuthbert’s Hospice opened in September 1988, in an historic building known as Park House in Merryoaks, close to the centre of Durham. The opening of the Hospice was the result of many years of local fundraising to provide services for people with life limiting conditions. Initially the Hospice offered day care two days per week, and over the years it expanded to offer care each weekday.

As the hospice developed over the last twenty years, the original building known as Park House was extended in 1999, to provide treatment rooms and an office base for the team who work in the community with patients in their own homes.

Major changes came in September 2006, with the opening of a ten bed In Patient Unit following a fundraising campaign. The extension allows the Hospice to provide 24 hour care for the first time. Since opening, the unit has cared for over 500 people, proving that there was a great need for the services on offer.

Park House, the building which is now the Hospice, was originally known as Elvet Moor Cottage. In 1839 it was owned by Ann Maria Greenwell, and sub-let to Anwick Smith of Langley Grove.

By 1851, the house was occupied by John and Georgina Smith and their family, along with their three servants. John was the son on Anwick Smith, who owned the Langley Paper Mills, in Langley Moor, which was a successful local company at the time. The family’s association with Park House ended in 1853, when Anwick Smith died, and John moved back to the family home at Langley Grove.

The house became known as Elvet Cottage in 1843, and by 1861 was occupied by William and Mary Robson, their five daughters and two servants. The Robson’s had a thriving upholstery and cabinet making business in Durham City.

In 1871 the property was occupied by Edward Hutchinson, who was an Assistant Land Agent, his wife Mary Hutchinson, their three children and Mary Hutchinson’s mother, Elizabeth Gowan.

Records from the 1881 Census show that the building had been renamed once again, this time to Park House, and a number of structural changes had taken place. The property was by now occupied by Charles and Teresa Bell, their children and six servants. Mr Bell was a mining engineer, and began the long association the house was to have with the mining industry.

In 1947, during the nationalization of the coal industry the house passed to the NCB. In the 1960’s it was used as the studios for Radio Durham, one of the first BBC local radio stations. Sunderland born journalist Kate Adie began her career at Radio Durham, and continues to support St Cuthbert’s Hospice.

After the radio station closed, the building was used by Durham County Council before being purchased to become St Cuthbert’s Hospice.