When the hospital opened a number of specialist nurses and numerous other staff were employed. By the 15th December 1905, 15 patients had already been admitted, many of whom would spend their Christmas there. The hospitals’ first Christmas was not such a grand occasion as the Matron and her staff had little time to celebrate, they needed to devote their time to getting the hospital in order. It was only as each ward was presented with a large decorated tree, which caused great excitement amongst the patients did the staff really get into the Christmas spirit. On Christmas morning patients who were well enough joined staff for a Christmas sing-a-long but were encouraged not to get over excited, as it was thought too much excitement would not be good for them. The joyful sing-a-long was followed by a substantial Christmas meal with all the trimmings. For the working class patients this would have been a real treat, as around this time in history working class people were poor, and Christmas meal would have been very basic. In the evening families were allowed to visit to wish there loved ones a Merry Christmas but the visit was kept short as it was felt the excitement of the day would effect the patients health.
The Corporation made sure every child in the hospital was going to have a Christmas that they would remember. Wednesday 30th December was a cold and rainy day but the weather didn't taint the 51 sick children's excitement as they were treated to an afternoon of children’s entertainment. From their beds and chairs they were entertained to a full afternoon of pleasure. A number of entertainers and games kept the children amused until Father Christmas came in with his white hair and beard and distributed the gifts from under the Christmas tree.
© Neil and Janet Croft 2005