Chewton artist Richard Yates, who sculpted the ‘In Caring Hands’ memorial statues, returned to Rochester last week to give his creations a fresh coat of paint.
“They look as good as new again,” REDHS chief executive Karen Laing said.
“These statues are such a treasured part of REDHS’s history, it is vital that we look after them.”
Mr Yates was commissioned in 2016 to create the life-size figures of a nurse and a soldier, commemorating the local men and women who have served this nation and for whom the original Rochester War Memorial Hospital was built.
The soldier walking out of the hospital denotes recovery, rehabilitation and a return to normal life and health, while the nurse represents those who sacrificed so much to ensure the welfare of others.
The statues were carved out of Cyprus wood, chosen because Cyprus trees have been present on the REDHS site since the construction of the original Rochester War Memorial Hospital in 1952.
“While we are in the midst of making exciting changes and planning for the future of the health service, we must never forget our history,” Ms Laing said.
“Our community is, and always has been, in caring hands at REDHS.”
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