Happy memories of how this hospital was brought to life
IN May 1975 Stroud General Hospital celebrated its centenary and, as you would expect, The Citizen told the story of how this important local amenity came into being in a series of features.
The reporter, who received no by-line for a reason unknown, informed readers that it was colloquially called “the happy hospital” (was it really?) and that special events to mark the 100 birthday included a charity ball at the Subscription Rooms, service of rededication conducted by the Bishop of Tewkesbury in Trinity church and an open day when people could pop in to look round the wards and inspect the operating theatre.
The opening of a dispensary in 1750 laid the foundation of what became Stroud General. This pioneering version of an A&E was located in a rented room at a pub called the Lamb in Church Street and demand was so great for the services offered that larger premises were clearly needed.
The date tells a story. If you recall your O level (or equivalent) history lessons you’ll know that the mid 18th century was when the Industrial Revolution took off.
In the environs of Stroud this meant that there was a burgeoning opportunity for working class people to sustain serious injury.
Woollen and corn mills in the Five Valleys brought employees into close contact with sharp edged, fast moving, cutting, grinding and other such clanking machinery always at the ready to catch a finger, or arm.
Canal building that eventually joined the Thames and Severn was a rich source of accidents and the navvies who excavation Sapperton Tunnel, a six year task through solid rock, provided the Dispensary with many patients.
And when the Great Western Railway came through town the queue outside the Lamb of walking wounded and stretcher cases extended even more.
So to meet demand land was bought in Kendrick’s Orchard and a new Stroud Dispensary erected at a cost of £741-11-10d. This building became part of the Congregational Church in Bedford Street, when once again more space was needed and Stroud General Hospital took shape on its present site following a gift of land from one benefactor (Mr Cowle) and of £1,000 by another (Mrs Franklin).
The memorial stone was laid on May 28, 1874 and officially opened by the Bishop of Gloucester on December 3, 1875. The cost was £8,743.
This advert appeared in the local press.
“Matron wanted immediately for a small country infirmary, containing twelve beds, a respectable and well educated women, not under forty years of age to act as Matron. No menial service required. Board and attendance with £20 a year salary. No washing. The above is best suited to a widow lady, and reduced in circumstances. Copy of testimonials to be forwarded, which will not be returned. Apply to Frederick Roberts, Hon, Secretary, The Woodlands, Stroud, Glos.”
Forty six applications were received. We can assume that conditions in the new hospital were comfortable. Minutes from a quarterly meeting of the Committee, reported that a patient who had been cured and discharged by the medical officers had then refused to leave as he had found the hospital more to his taste than his usual life. The “lazy drone” as the man was described eventually departed after the hospital had refused to feed him for a few days.
A new wing was added to Stroud General in 1921. A nurses’ home in 1928.
When the National Health Service Act came into operation in July 1948 Stroud General came under the administration of the Gloucester, Stroud and the Forest Hospital Management Committee.
A maternity unit opened in 1951. Then in 1974 a new operating theatre was installed.
As part of the fund raising efforts that took place on the hospital’s centenary, commemorative Staffordshire mugs dated 1875 – 1975 where sold. Perhaps you have one of these collector’s items in your sideboard.
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