The Infirmary Walk
On 17 September 1767, Salisbury came alive with the sound of church bells and the shuffle of an eager crowd. That morning marked the very first Infirmary Walk, a civic parade celebrating the opening of the city’s new hospital and a lasting commitment to community health.
The procession set off from the Infirmary on Fisherton Street and wound its way toward Salisbury Cathedral, where a service awaited. Bells pealed from the towers of St Edmunds, St Thomas, St Martin, and Fisherton Anger, their joyful clamour echoing across the medieval city.
Twelve policemen supported the march, but it was the carefully arranged order of participants that gave the event its stately air. Contemporary accounts record the line-up with remarkable precision:
- Constables, two and two
- The Beadles, with Sergeants at Mace preceding
- The Worshipful Mayor of the City, alone
- The Earl of Radnor, President of the Infirmary
- Recorder of the City, alone
- The Deputy Recorder, alone
- The Aldermen and Commonalty in their proper habits, two and two
- Porter to the Infirmary with his staff
- The Infirmary Standard
- Two French horns, two hautboys, and other music
- The Preacher of the day, alone
- The Visitor, alone, or with the next year’s Chairman
- The Governors, two and two
- The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, together
- The two Auditors
- The two Physicians
- The two Surgeons, Superintending Apothecary, and House Visitors of the week, together
- The Subscribers, two and two
- The Apothecary and Secretary
The sheer variety of roles, from musicians to surgeons, reflected a city united in purpose.
Upon arrival, the Bishop of Salisbury greeted the marchers, and at 11 a.m. the Dean led a special service. Afterward the procession returned to the Infirmary for practical matters: the hospital’s finances were reported and, in a symbolic moment, the Duke of Queensberry laid the foundation stone of the new hospital building. Prayers concluded the formalities and at 2 p.m. the company gathered for a celebratory dinner at the Assembly Rooms.
The Infirmary Walk became an annual civic highlight, a public affirmation of health and charity. In the early 20th century the date shifted to July, reflecting changing schedules and perhaps more reliable summer weather. The final official walk took place in 1947, after which other commemorative events carried the spirit forward.
More than two and a half centuries later, Salisbury’s first Infirmary Walk still speaks of a city’s pride, cooperation and care for the wellbeing of its people. A reminder that public health has always been a community endeavour.
