Welcome to-aturnofthekey-Memories of the old St.Georges and Coton Hill Hospitals-Stafford
A shared record of the Life and Times of these once-proud, old Hospitals. 25/02/2012
This Web – Site is Open To All who may have been involved with Providing and/or Accessing throughout the years, any of the facilities of
these two Old, Local Hospitals. This includes All grades of Ex-Staff, Volunteers, Ex-Patients and their Relatives. There also appears to be a
number of People from the Stafford Area and beyond, Young and Old, who have an interest in what these Old Places were really all about.
I hope the Site and it’s contents are put together in as Sensitive a way as possible – Please feel free to tell me if you think otherwise.
Many sincere thanks to all who have helped me with encouragement, advice, and their trust in me to share all of their donations of images, reminiscences, tales, anecdotes, etc. - towards this Collection of Memories, for everyone to see. - I could not have done it without them.
It’s continued development depends - Very Much on You - through your Donations of Images, Suggestions, Comments, Anecdotes etc.
All of these add extra layers to the varied and vibrant record of these, our, old hospitals - So Please, Keep them Coming.
Explore the Site – Participate – Reminisce – Share Those Memories – Tell Others About It
I hope you Enjoy the Site, But - If You Notice Anything Untoward – Please Let Me Know – Brian.
Some New Photos – Uploaded on 30/03/13 - Identified by Red - Frames - Across the Site
Hover over Photos for Donor ID, Info., etc. - Left Click to Enlarge
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Copyright © to all Images is acknowledged as being retained by the Donor unless otherwise stated
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Some of the More Recent Anecdotes
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See “Anecdotes” Page for More of these – and – Please Send me Yours to share !
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List of Current Donors
Peter Anthony-Anne Appleby-John Aris-Sue Astle-Kath Cox-Trisha Hayward-Tony Lakin
Chris Peet-Beryl Sandy-Roy Shirley-Bill Sim-Brian Simms-Ian Ward-Jeanette Watson
Mark Melvin-Kevin McConville-Phil Warelow-Eddy Hood-Mary Balahura-Geoff Dewsbury
Margaret Dooley-Staffordshire Newsletter-Anonymous Donor-Dave Plant-David Johnson-Philip Locke
If I have omitted Your Name – Please let me know and I will update the list -many thanks Brian.
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Brian said:
Hello Jamie, I wish we had. They would fit into the History section nicely.
jagdish bhurut said:
hi all
it is so nice to see that st georges memory are being kept alive through your website. we all have fond memories of the old place and i am sure we all have special anecdotes that dear to us. keep the good work.
Brian said:
Hi Jagdish, glad that you have found the Site. If you have anything to Share – please get in touch via the Contact page.
kath Cox said:
We wish to send our old collegue Geoff Dewsbury, our best wishes for a quick recovery, to full active life, following his recent surgery, This growing old , ain,t much fun is it geoff,we both creak more than our back gate, but keep plodding on, waiting in hope of a rejuvinating pill, being introduced…
Keep your chin up Kath, n Alf Cox
Jon Cowin said:
I am so sorry to hear this Lesley. I only recently heard about Allan, as I left SGH in January 1986, and now live in North Nottinghamshire. I, of course, remember you all at the club. I remember wondering who was going to replace John and Gladys Smith, and what replacements we had! Fantastic! I read with great sadness, that Myra has Alzheimers, my memories of your mum are of a totally kind, full-of-fun lady; one in a million. Best wishes, Jon Cowin.
Jon Cowin said:
Hi Jagdish, nice to see you here, I hope you are well?
Jeanette Watson said:
I’m sad to hear about Kevin, does anyone know – keep in touch with Lynn Till? I hope she’s well and would send my love.
Ian Ward said:
Hi Geoff
I have heard of your recent health situation and I would like to wish you all the best with a speedy recovery. I may live on the other side of the world but st. Georges and the people I met and worked with over the years will always be in my heart. Take care Geoff
Best Wishes
Ian
Brian said:
Hi All, thanks for the good wishes to Geoff. He apparently “doesn’t do computers” so you may not see a reply – but he is aware of your messages and does appreciate them.
dave anslow said:
Hi what a fantastic site it has brought back so many fond memories of the glorious hospital St Georges was. Shame on Stafford Council for once again letting a beautiful building and a wealth of history be consigned to building rubble. I trained a St geoges from 1976 to 79 and qualified RMN there. I am in the picture you have on that page sporting a beard in the light grey suit third from the entrancec. I recognise many of the other faces there. Jenny Colman Shirley and Linda who trained and qualified at the same time.I remember Mick Nixon as he was a partcularly fine mentor and friend. I remeber Geoff Dewsbury and Tom Mcquillan,being 2 of my charge nurses on admission wards, as well as Alan Astle who I see has donated photographs to the site. I also see photographs of Maurice Deacon and Vida Charles who were charge nurse and sister at that time. I went on to work in Jersey before settling in Cardiff where I worked at Whitchurch Hospital and gained my RGN and degree while working in the community. I retired recently but still work as a part time staff nurse in care of mental health for older people. I would like to be in touch with any one who worked there that remembers me, it was such a brill place to train and be part of thank you so much for bringing the site to life.
Brian said:
Hello Dave good to see that you have found the Site and it brings back memories for you. As requested earlier I have put your name on the ” Contact ” list and will forward all requests on to you.
Should you have any Anecdotes please forward them on to me – and Pass the Word on about the Site.
Brian said:
Thanks to Dave Plant for finding the recent batch of Photos that have just been uploaded.
Brian said:
Wishing you a safe and happy Christmas and that 2013 will be a good year for all of you.
Roy Shirley said:
Hi
When I worked at St. Georges all those years ago ( nearly 50 years ago!) I remember this time of year the anual staff dance, and others must do from some of the photos on this site. Can any one remember the join dance with the SGI in the late 60′s early 70′s. I think it was held at Trentham Gardens?. I thought that the group Them ( lead singer Van Morrison) or have the years finally clouded my already poor memory?
Brian said:
Hi Roy – There are a few photos from Beryl Sandy on the Staff Social Page which I think relate to your comments. You are of course correct about the band Them and Van Morrison but I have no Idea if they ever gigged at Trentham – I never went to any of the Dances there.
There are plenty of references to Them on Google but I haven’t yet seen any gigs listed. If you persevere you may find something.
Does anybody else have any memories of this ?
Roy Shirley said:
It wasn’t the fact that the group played but more that a very well known group at that time was playing at the anual dance!
Brian said:
SENT TO ME IN ERROR VIA THE “CONTACT” PAGE INSTEAD OF THE “HOME” PAGE COMMENT BOX-FROM MICHELLE CLARK
I worked at St George’s Hospital for Eric Dalton, Director of Nursing, from 1981 to 1987 and was very sad to leave when I moved to Walsall. I was 18 when I started work there. I now live in Perth, Western Australia, and made a trip back last year and visited Stafford. I was shocked to see the state of the place. The staff who I can remember from the time were obviously Eric Dalton, Ron Hipwell (deceased), John Waterfall, Eugene and Maria McGarrell, Alf Hardy, Brian Lockley, Trisha Ball, Pearl Doherty, Phil Botfield, Peter and Erica Anthony, Alan and Sue Astle, Joyce and Herbert Fritz, Mike Jones, Annette (who worked for Mr Hixon). I also remember Bill Sim, Mark Lockley, and lots of others. I had been thinking today of all the good times I had there and was remembering some of the patient characters – Lil (who used to drink our milk!), Barry (who I’ve seen around Stafford and he still recognised me). I’m of course much older now (50), but I still look back and remember my time there and wonder how people are and what happened to them. I was delighted to stumble upon your website after having looked at so many pictures of the devastation. It was wonderful to see the hospital in its full glory. How on earth that beautiful building was ever allowed to deteriorate into the shell I saw last year, I’m just speechless. I look forward to hearing more about the site and any news of the staff I worked with in the 1980′s; a time I will always treasure.
Michelle (nee Clark)
Brian said:
Enquiry from a lady looking for information about a relative :-
Her Grandmother – Emmeline (Emmie) Webb – nee Lower was apparently a patient in Coton Hill 1930 – 1971. Also a Great Aunt – Caroline Lower who was in St Georges – possibly about the same period of time – No Dates Given.
Amended 14/2/13
Emmie Webb was from Wordsley in Stourbridge and was also at St Georges at some time during the above dates.
If anyone has any Memories or Information about her you can Email the Granddaughter at :- sandra.harris@blueyonder.co.uk
or Contact me with any details and I will pass same on to her.
Brian said:
REFERENCE TO THE “MONITOR” REPORT ON STAFFORD HOSPITAL :-
FOR ALL WHO ARE NOT YET AWARE – THERE IS AN ACTIVE, ON-GOING “E-PETITION” TO THE GOVERNMENT – FOR ALL WHO ARE CONCERNED AT THE PROSPECT OF “LOSING OUR HOSPITAL” TO HAVE THEIR SAY.
100,000 SIGNATURES ARE NEEDED TO TRIGGER A DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.
IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO – BUT FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT THIS ISSUE – HERE IS THE LINK TO SIGN UP.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/44998
PLEASE PASS IT ON TO ANY RELATIVES/FRIENDS ETC.
Roy Shirley said:
What was the result of the petition? Did it achieve it’s aim in getting the required number of signatures? On another matter How is the development of the St Georges site going?
Brian said:
Hi Roy – E-petition not getting much response apparently.
The Best results are from the Ongoing Local Campaign Group – SUPPORT STAFFORD HOSPITAL.
50,000 of us turned out for the Rally and March with plenty of Local Media coverage.
Cross Party Political representations – ongoing with the P.M., Health Secretary, and Administrators.
More Community Events in the pipeline.
People Power !
See http://www.supportstaffordhospital.co.uk – Sign-Up for Newsletters
St George’s Park building programme ongoing. Many homes already built also roads/infrastructure in place.
The old Main Building still standing – not seen any sign of activity there yet.
See Link to Development Plans etc on Links Page.