Heatherwood Hospital
Makes the News 1949 - 1951
Scouts Guides & Christmas Presents from New Zealand
The hospital had it's own scouts and brownies groups A Scout troop was first
formed at Heatherwood Hospital on December 29,1926, they were an essential part
of hospital life and contributed to the well being of the young patients and
also raised the profile of the hospital through various events and press
stories. The announcement the Scout group had folded came in the East Berks
Scouts annual report in June 1956 after 29 years at the hospital.
Children's Corner By Auntie Pat - 25th February 1949
At Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, children are given their lessons whilst lying in
bed. This group of children were photographed last week while they were out on
the veranda of the hospital in the warm sun. At the school they are taught every
lesson from art to Geography. An important part of their lessons is handwork
because by doing this kind of work they help themselves to get better more
quickly.
Most children would envy their short hours in school 9-30 to 11.30 in the
morning and 1.30 to 3.30 in the afternoon. But when these lessons are over they
cannot run home from school - instead they have to stay in their beds until they
go to sleep. Don’t think that this makes them unhappy. Although they must miss
this more than anything they keep cheerful by occupying their own minds with
reading, model making the wireless and plenty of fun among themselves.
Windsor Express 1949
Guides Visit Hospital - Aug 1949
On Wednesday afternoon delegates in England for a conference on the extension
branch of the Girl Guide movement were invited to visit the Guides and Brownies
of the 4th Ascot Heatherwood hospital company and pack.
After looking over the hospital and visiting the scouts the delegates saw
meetings in progress of both Guides & Brownies and joined the guides when
they sang the guides well known chalet song, each delegate singing in her native
tongue.
This was enjoyed by all present.
A Scout Party - Jan 1950
To celebrate 23rd birthday the Heatherwood hospital scout troop celebrated their
twenty third birthday on Saturday with a grand tea and cinema show in ward 1.
Among the many delicacies on the tables were jellies and a trifle made for the
party by Sister Daley and two huge iced cakes one of which was glittering with
candles.
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Heatherwood School Magazine - May 1951
In May 1951 the senior boys of ward 1 produced their own magazine. A twelve page
booklet with stories jokes and drawings. As part of the first edition the
following article on the Scout Troup was included.
Scouts at Heatherwood.
The Heatherwood hospital troop consists of about sixteen scouts. Sometimes there
are more, sometimes less. There are two patrols, the curlews and the
woodpigeons.
We all enjoy our work and games very much, but it is not easy for our
scoutmaster, skipper Newton to teach us, because we are in bed and cannot move
very well. Some boys only come in for a week or two and go home before they have
time to learn anything properly.
We all like our work. It is interesting and helpful. We have parties and films
every year, if possible. Just recently, one of our scouts, Reg Evens, went to a
special service at St George's chapel at Windsor and curly a cub from the
juniors went with him. Skipper Newton looked after them, and they had a lovely
tea at Windsor as well.
In the Bob-a-job week we all worked hard and raised money for the scout funds.
So we do what we can and you see the scout's life is helpful and useful.
By Henry McCullough. ( Curlews ).
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Heatherwood School Magazine - May 1951
All the pages recreated here.(added 2019)
Note:-
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Scouts and Cubs Achievements - March 1951
In Ward 1 at Heatherwood Hospital on Saturday Matron visited the scout and cub
meetings to receive the monies earned by the boys during “bob a job” week.
Heatherwood Hospital & School
Did you attend Heatherwood School whilst a patient?
Do you have any recollections of Heatherwood ?
If So we would dearly love to hear from you.
If you have any memorabilia or stories to tell:-
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WebMaster
At the scout meeting Matron went from bed to bed to collect the earnings, and
congratulated the boys on the result of their efforts. Miss Howes said she was
sorry that it had not been possible to give them more opportunities they had.
In another part of the ward the cubs were waiting to hand over the result of
their work and Matron spoke to each boy and then received the money from the cub
master. The total earned was £3, an average of 3/1 per head as against last
years 2/1. Jobs done by these boys, most of whom are bed patients, varied from
cleaning the ward silver and oiling trolley wheels to sewing and rolling
bandages.
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Gifts from New Zealand for young and old inmates of Heatherwood Hospital.
- Friday December 23rd 1949
Last Saturday afternoon brought a great change from the ordinary hospital
routine to all the patients of Heatherwood hospital Ascot, when they were given
a special Christmas party by the Windsor branch of Toc.H. A highly active group
though with only seven members.
Mr A Keith Goldsworthy gave a bright little party for seventy two boys and girls
whose delight will be a poignant memory for helpers like pianist Don Paxton, Ken
Hawes the conjuror and of course nursing sisters C Daley and K Long.
Crackers snapped, whistles shrilled over a party-tea of trifles, meringues, and
fruit, Christmas cake. Then Santa Claus, red robes and white whiskers flowing,
took to each child's bed a pound of sweets ( from New Zealand ) a toothbrush (
presented by Johnson & Johnson Ltd ) and a wrapped parcel.
Comment:-Sweet rationing was still in place until 1953,the children of
Heatherwood were lucky to receive such a large amount.
The Maharajah of Rajpipla had sent a cheque, and a parcel of cosmetics – which
gave pleasure to many girl patients.
Comment:- Another report on the gifts from New Zealand is also shared on our
heatherwood history page.
Hospital Diary 1945 to 1949
Heatherwood Hospital & School
Did you attend Heatherwood School whilst a patient?
Do you have any recollections of Heatherwood ?
If So we would dearly love to hear from you.
If you have any memorabilia or stories to tell:-
Contact The
WebMaster
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