Les gets creative again to thank NHS
A NORTH Hampshire Second World War veteran has taken up his paintbrushes once again to create an Easter-themed painting thanking NHS nurses.
Woolton Hill resident Les Barber, 94, captured the hearts of the local community last year with an NHSthemed display, before following it up in November and December with Remembrance Day and Christmas pieces.
Now Mr Barber has got creative again with an Easter-themed display to thank the NHS.
The display, which is currently outside Mr Barber’s Woolton Hill home, reads: “We are still here thanks to our NHS nurses.”
As well as two NHS nurses, the painting is adorned with colourful Easter eggs, daffodils, rabbits and a rainbow.
Mr Barber said he’d wanted to thank the NHS nurses after his amazing treatment in Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.
He said: “I’ve been in and out of hospital for most of this shutdown and they’ve been very good to me each time.
“I couldn’t wish for better treatment.
“They’re run off their feet – a lot of them are supposed to work until 6.30pm and they’re still there an hour later.
“They deserve everything they get.
“If it weren’t for them, I don’t know where we’d be.
“They’ve always treated me very well – they make me welcome, even though they’re giving me needles! “They’re always smiling.
“I’m feeling well now considering. “They looked at me, aged 94, and said you’re amazing, what’s the recipe?
“They were very pleased with me.”
Mr Barber volunteered to join the army as a teenager in 1943 and was based in East End at the time of the Newbury bombing.
Shortly afterwards, at the age of 17, he signed up and was stationed all over England, including in Liverpool, where he helped out at the station and the docks.