Fountain Club marks its 100th anniversary at St Bartholomew’s Hospital
A celebration has taken place at St Bartholomew’s Hospital to mark the 100th anniversary of the Fountain Club, a special dining club founded in 1919 to reconnect graduates from the hospital’s medical school.
Over 100 club members and special guests came together around the iconic Victorian fountain in the grounds of the hospital on Thursday 13 June to celebrate the club’s centenary.
The Club, which was, in part, founded to remember the 112 Barts medics who lost their lives during World War I, has funded several restoration projects on the historic hospital site, including repairs to the fountain in the hospital’s Square, and a recent survey of the famous Great Hall and King Henry VIII gate, to inform future conservation.
Special guests at the event included leading British obstetrician and gynaecologist Sir Marcus Setchell.
Professor John Richardson, master of the Fountain Club, who trained at St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical School, said: “2019 marks an important milestone in the history of the Fountain Club.
“Reaching our centenary is incredibly exciting and offers a great opportunity to look back on the history of the Club and its members – each of whom have played an important role in making St Bartholomew’s Hospital the centre of excellence it is today.
“I’m proud to celebrate the contributions the club has made to St Bartholomew’s Hospital alongside friends and former colleagues.”
Jason Morley-Smith, Lead Clinical Site Manager at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, attended the centenary celebrations in his ceremonial role as Beadle. He said: “It was a great honour to be invited to officiate the Fountain Club’s centenary celebration by Professor Richardson, in just my second year as Beadle, and to meet their guest of honour, Sir Marcus Setchell.
“The Fountain Club, which has its own great history, has been pivotal in preserving the near-900 year history of St Bartholomew’s Hospital for many generations to come.”