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Wattons Lane, SOUTHAM, CV47 0JD

Dr. Henry Lilley-Smith (1787 - 1859), born in Southam, created the first self-supporting dispensary here which specialised in the treatment of diseases of the eyes and ears The hospital, which was built on land owned by Dr Smith, contained about 14 beds and was supported by voluntary donations. The hospital treated about 12,220 patients during its first forty years, two thirds of whom were cured. The Infirmary, which passed into the hands of trustees when Dr Smith died, continued for a few years but fell into financial difficulties and was forced to close in December 1872. Attempts were made to reinstate the hospital but financial constraints meant that none were successful. In September 1889 a stone monument was presented to the Trustees to be placed at the site of the original Dispensary cottage with inscriptions detailing some of the charitable work Dr Smith encouraged including Allotments for Boys, the Maypole Holiday and the Dispensary itself.

The River Stowe flows east-to-west through Southam, Warwickshire. This view is looking west from the recreation ground below St James church. In the background, a new housing estate is being built in the river's floodplain.

The Holy Well Walk was created in 2005-07 by Vision4Southam as part of a wider programme of improvements including the restoration of the well itself. Structures around the trail, including 3 of these interpretative boards, were created by the artist Will Glanfield. http://www.willglanfield.co.uk/