Nearly 18 months in the building, the local vets had to knock down their original old properties (Horizon View and Sancrest) to make way for the smart new facilities. The surgery was designed by the late Ken Carroll and his wife Kris, who attended the opening, and was built by Bude Construction Services.
Penbode Vets managing director Mark Banks said: “We’re very lucky to have been able to build such a stunning new surgery. Our clinical team now have a state of the art area in which to work and everyone, staff, clients and patients alike, can enjoy the improved space, including a large airy waiting room and better staff meeting areas. Previously the Farm and Pets teams were crammed into a three bedroom house and a two bedroom bungalow — so it could be a bit of a squeeze at times!”
Retired Penbode vet Byron Rowlands carried out the official ribbon cutting ceremony. His speech was particularly touching and uplifting as he and his late wife Diane, not only used to work in Horizon View but also lived there! According to his son, Penbode Equine Vets clinical director David Rowlands, it was very much like the traditional vets portrayed in the popular James Herriot series.
It was a special day too for Penbode Pet Vets clinical director Claire Davies who was hired by Byron Rowlands as Penbode Vets first dedicated small animal vet that very same date 27 years ago.
Those who came enjoyed tours of the clinical areas — when they weren’t being used to treat patients (this is after all a 24-hour facility) — consumed cakes and cream teas and chatted to Penbode partners including the Project Prickles Hedgehog Rescue and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue association. The sale of raffle tickets and donations for the teas raised just under £200 for Bude wildlife charities.