Kilbarchan members will be visiting this hospice in Glasgow for a private tour in two small groups on 19th & 20th November followed by lunch in their private dining room. This lovely room can be booked at no additional cost. Kilbarchan group meets there when the whole group (or even the Book Group) needs somewhere quiet for an hour or two as it a bit less noisy than the Cafe). It can also be hired at a reasonable cost for special occasions/celebratory meals such as birthdays and other intimate occasions.
The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice was the dream of the late Dr Anne Gilmore OBE who was a GP based in Glasgow who had pursued a career in Geriatrics before going on to become a consultant to the World Heath Organisation, President of both the British Society of Gerontology and the British Society of Thanatology. It has been providing palliative care and other support services for over 40 years across Glasgow and East Renfrewshire. There were many local fundraising events and individual funding raising efforts to get the hospice initially established including famous contributions from Sir Stanley Baxter and Billy Connolly to name a few.
Initially based near the River Clyde in Glasgow it reopened in purpose built accommodation within beautiful Bellahouston Park. Their current events programme is aiming to raise £7m to ensure ongoing care, support and a range of other services. In 2026 this will include A sponsored zip-slide ride across the River Clyde. Every year in December a Light up a Life Service is held in St Andrew’s Cathedral in Glasgow to remember those no longer with us.
The Hospice’s Cafe is an attraction in itself with wonderful food and baking.. It is open to the general public but it is wise to book a table for coffee or lunch to be sure of not having to wait or not get a table at all as its usually pretty busy. After our private lunch most of us will, no doubt, have a perusal around the very nice shop located next to the main entrance.