More Info →Foxton Maternity Home 1942-1982 Page 18

Description

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Hettie Skellen.

(The Stalwart Cook of 27 Years.)

Hettie, dear Hettie. She, "danced" when stressed. The nurse-aids were to go help Hettie when all other chores were complete. One would quietly peek through the slightly ajar kitchen door, to read the cook's moods by her body language,--(skipping and rushing about with great clattering of pots and pans.) If the signs were dubious, one would discreetly move away to other chores until Hettie was up-to-date with cooking and preparing the midday meal, she would then be a delight and all was well.

We, (nurse- aids) set up the patients meal trays and helped to dish up, and of course it was our duty to take the meals to the patients, and then enjoy our meal with other staff and Hettie. An extra duty was to scrub everything scrubbable in the kitchen, which we duly did, making the wooden benches as white-as-white, and shelves all sparkling. Often, after Hettie had cleaned up the dinner dishes, she would suddenly go, whoosh, and throw up dish water onto the above the sink windows. There, all clean!

(Information given as fond memories via nurse-aids from a cross- section of eras).

One Of The Chores..

During the times of five day bed panning, we (nurse-aids) used to hope and pray that the clients (PC) patients had moved their bowels before we came on duty...

Thanks Loma Betty (nee Cocks)

(Former nurse-aid)

*(A reminder that many of the Nurse-Aids became patients themselves in time and therefore put up with the same indignities that Nurses had to impart to other Mothers previously in the Maternity Home! Also, it was all done in the name of hygiene and for the health and rest of the Mothers).

Could It Be...?

Memories of a certain Doctor standing with his back to the fire in the flat, holding up his jacket back-flap and saying he was warming the whole of his body (hole).

A cook who when busy would click her heels together, and if she had something to say would hold firmly onto your wrist until she had finished saying what she wanted to.

A New Nurse being shown the ropes of her job, then told she would have to go feed the donkey---went into the wash house, came out and said she couldn't see a donkey in there. (Four- legged type!)

Regards from Thelma Taylor

(Former nurse-aid)

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Identification

Date

2005