A HISTORY OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN PORTSMOUTH
THE ST. JAMES' JOURNAL
Golden Cameos
LOOKING BACK NOSTALGICALLY ONE RECALLS MEMORIES OF 'LIVING IN'
The breathless dash down the (now) Locksway Road before that Gate Light disappeared and the Lodge was locked with one's keys inside. Nothing was ever so final or so hopeless as that locked Lodge.
The sound of cows being driven along the field at the back of Light and Gleave Villas. A reminder that it was time to get up and go on duty.
The Staff Dining room, with that long table—the whole length of the room. Giggles and kicks under the table. The pat of butter on the plate and, at tea time, the jam ration on the plate. The jam which seemed to insinuate itself everywhere, even to the Ward Day Report, which rested on a large bread bin near the door awaiting transport to the Office after tea.
Tea. Liver and Crow, a treat from the Cook, bless her memory. Delicious, even when given for breakfast after Night Duty.
Ah yes, Night Duty. The pranks around the 'Iso' (now the Nurse Teaching Unit) when we should have been slumbering. 'In bed by 8 a.m., Nurse'. Diving into bed fully clothed while the Round was done at 7.45 a.m.
Male and Female Drives and never the twain shall meet.
Queueing to 'Pay In' crockery and hardware condemned. 'There are still ten hairs on that broom, Nurse'.
Queueing up on the Corridor for ward meals and again for uniform replacements. 'Have you torn this, Nurse?' The solicitous examination of each other's damaged garments in the queue, often ending in a tussle to protect the legitimate damage.
Sports Day was eagerly awaited, with preparations for the various events akin to the Olympics. The Slow Bicycle and Wheelbarrow races for the staff. The afternoon's highlight for staff, being one time when male and female staff could meet—and in what positions!
Shopping walks on Friday afternoons. Adventures in themselves, during which one guarded pillar boxes, chemists' shops and side roads as though they were the Crown Jewels. And the return, when everyone was bowed down with parcels, including herrings and bloaters to be cooked for tea.
Monthly Staff Dances. Male and Female staff meet on the floor by sign language. The approach was similar to that fine old English dance 'Gathering Peascods'.
There are many more memories and everyone evergreen.
M. B.
Spring 1968