Dean Clarke House

further to your article Echo November 7 Flats and offices project for city's historic first hospital I thought just a little extra information would greatly assist the people of Exeter to realise that in my view the sale of Dean Clarke House, in Southernhay, is nothing but daylight robbery by the new Devon Primary Care Trust.A little bit of history will explain my viewpoint. On the 23rd July 1741 the first general meeting of the subscribers to the Devon & Exeter hospital was held in the chapter house of St. Peters Cathedral and the Rev Dean of Exeter Dr. Alured Clarke (hence Dean Clarke House) took the chair.On the 11th August 1741 John Tuckfield agreed to part with the ground (on which the hospital was to be built) without any reservation of rent. On the 27th August 1741 the foundation stone was laid and on the 17th September John Tuckfield was paid £100 for the land. On the 1st October 1741 John Tuckfield was a benefactor to the new hospital for the sum of £100.How is it that Exeter residents paid for the hospital all those years ago and now the millions of pounds go to the Devon Primary Care Trust. We have been robbed.Finally, just look at the time line. Founded, subscribed for, land acquired, designed, built and finally up and working on the 1st January 1743. Oh, to return to those glorious days before the regulators took over.