DR THOMAS TALBOT -- On Sunday, February 16, St Luke's Church, Ullingswick, is holding a special service at 3pm to commemorate the death of Dr Thomas Talbot in February 1789. Dr Talbot was appointed rector of Ullingswick in 1739 and by 1763 had seen increasing hardship in the agricultural community as the price of corn rose. The need was approaching starvation level. He therefore issued an appeal for money to build a hospital in Hereford and after two further appeals and some 13 years later, the Hereford Infirmary was opened in temporary accommodation in Eign Street (1776). A site for a permanent hospital in what is now Nelson Street was given by the Earl of Oxford and Dr Talbot laid the foundation stone of the General Hospital here in 1781. It was completed and opened in August 1783. This has now been closed and is being developed for housing, being superseded by the new County Hospital complex at Stonebow Road. Dr Talbot died in February 1789 and a memorial stone is laid in St Luke's church immediately in front of the altar. At the traditional evensong service on Sunday, February 16 at 3pm, the hospital chaplain will give the address. Other eminent members of the hospital staff will participate. There will be refreshments afterwards. Do come and support us and remember this great man.