Scouts Guides & Christmas Presents from New Zealand
The hospital had it’s own scouts and brownies groups founded in 1927 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.
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
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.
To celebrate 23rd birthday the Heatherwood hospital scout Troup 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.
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 ).
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.
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.
March 1951
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.
The Maharajah of Rajpipla had sent a cheque, and a parcel of cosmetics –
which gave pleasure to many girl patients.
Friday December 23rd 1949
