Overgate Hospice

The Overgate Hospice.

30 Hullenedge Road. Elland. Halifax. HX5 0QY.

The Overgate Panel

In 2006/7, the Overgate Panel became the fourth panel to be designed and constructed by the members of the West Riding Woodcarvers Association. It was formally presented to the Overgate Hospice by the club's patron Dr Ingrid Roscoe Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire in the presence of The Worshipful the Mayor of Calderdale Councilor Colin Stout 13th March 2007

It consists of forty one individual carvings, carved in Limewood by thirty five different carvers, with a custom made frame, inscribed by hand carved lettering ...

For Overgate Hospice by the West Riding Woodcarvers Association 2007AD. Pax Vobiscum ( Peace be with you ) Running across the base spar in Old english Script.

The finished dimensions of the panel and frame are ..

9'0" ( 2.743 metres ) x 3'6" ( 1.067 metres ).

Due to its original location in the main entrance to the Hospice, it had to be carved and assembled incorporating an angle of 138 degrees. Two of the carvings,

Halifax Bank of Scotland and the Victoria Theatre,

were carved on timber machined at the 138 degree angle to facilitate the corner of the wall.

Due to the fact that the Overgate Hospice has expanded over the years, the original panel has had to be modified to allow it to be housed in a different location. The 138 degree angle had to be removed to allow the panel to be mounted on a straight wall.

Halifax Bank of Scotland and the Victoria Theatre carving were repositioned.

With the new Extension opening in August 2026 the panel was again moved to a different location and the the layout of the carvings were repositioned.

Halifax Bank of Scotland and the Victoria Theatre

were removed to be displayed as stand alone carvings in different areas of the Hospice.

The Story of Richard, Peter and the Overgate Hospice.

Both members of the WRWA, they each have personal associations with the Hospice. One day whilst discussing the location of the repositioning of the Panel, following the opening of the new Inpatient Unit, they started talking about the trees that had been removed to make way for the new building. They asked if they could use the wood for members of the WRWA to create handcrafted wooden items for people to buy, with all the proceeds supporting the Hospice. So after months of preparation and hard work, hundreds of items were ready to be put out on sale at the open days during July 2026.

Many pieces of timber were spalted, a process where fungal colonization occurs causing colourful patterns to infiltrate the wood. This means that every piece produced from this timber is unique and will serve as a treasured reminder of a loved one and part of the history of the Overgate Hospice.

To facilitate the expansion of the Hospice, a large swathe of trees had to be removed. One of the West Riding Woodcarvers negotiated with the Hospice to produce artifacts from the timber of these tree to help raise revenue.

Ten species of trees were felled in the grounds of the Hospice.

The smaller sections of trees were removed from the main trunks to be distributed to club members.

The main trunks from the felled trees were transported to British Hardwoods to be sawn, stored and allowed to dry.

Overgate timber stored at the British Hardwoods Depo, Cross Hills, Keighley and allowed to dry naturally.

Once dried, the timber was ready to be distributed to members of the West Riding Woodcarvers supplied in three or four inch thicknesses.

Members of the WRWA with the appropriate equipment produced blanks to be distributed to fellow members to be turned or carved.

This large section of timber is a unique section of Monkey Puzzle tree, showing the unusual spoked formation of branches.

Many of the smaller sections of timber where used to produce decorative fruit shapes such as Apples, Pears and Bananas.

Christmas Decorations, carved hearts and a variety of key fobs were also on sale.

The spalted pieces of fruit are a popular choice on sale in the shop, located in the main building

The collection of artefacts were displayed in these amazing meeting rooms to the rear of the Hospice.

Artifacts on display ready for the first visitors to arrive in small groups, as the were shown round by guides during the several Open Days.

Artifacts of all shapes and sizes carved and turned by members of the WRWA.

Bowls, Vases, Garden Ornaments, Lamps and Fruit all with unique Spalted figuring.

A massive thank you to the West Riding woodcarver’s Association who have raised a staggering £7,649.50 from the items they have lovingly crafted from the trees that were taken down in the hospice grounds to make way for our new Inpatient unit!

We really appreciate their time and dedication.