4. Sir Joseph Weld

Sir Joseph Weld was the first patron of the charity, and both the hospice building and the charity were originally named in his honour.

Colonel Sir Joseph William Weld, OBE, TD, served as the High Sheriff of Dorset in 1951, and Lord Lieutenant of Dorset from 1964 to 1984, following a distinguished career in the Army during World War II. He had come to the county when he inherited the Lulworth Estate and Lulworth Castle in 1935, following the death of his cousin.

Sir Joseph became increasingly involved in Dorset life, engaging with a number of charities and organisations including the Red Cross, Dorset Blind Association, St John’s Ambulance, and others. He was Chairman of Dorset Police Authority from 1960 to 1980. In 1981, he laid the foundation stone at the Winterborne Hospital, next door to where the hospice would eventually be situated.

A volunteer with the Territorial Army, Sir Joseph became Honorary Colonel of the Dorset Regiment’s 4th Battalion following his retirement as its commander in 1951.

Passionate about the county and its residents, he was knighted for public services in Dorset in the Queen’s 1973 Birthday Honours.

When ‘The Dorset Respite and Hospice Trust’ was formed in 1990, and fundraising began for the new hospice, Sir Joseph became its patron. A ceremony to mark the start of construction took place on 1st May, 1992, with Sir Joseph proudly cutting the first turf. Sadly, he died that August, at the age of 83.

Founding Director, Caroline Nickinson, remembers Sir Joseph fondly, she says “We were so proud when he agreed to call the hospice after him. He was so gentle and he really cared for Dorset. He was a lovely man.”

The Weld name is still very much a visible part of the charity, making up the first part of the current name, Weldmar Hospicecare. The family continues to be involved, including Sir Joseph’s daughter-in-law, Sally, who was a trustee for some years and now is a Vice President.

Picture Credit: National Portrait Gallery, London