Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 22 July 1932
Fullerton Hospital
The Annual Demonstration
M.P.’s Appeals
The annual hospital demonstration at Denaby was held on Sunday afternoon, with great success, but there was one element that almost spoiled the major part of the programme, the addresses given from the main stand on the Denaby United football ground being rendered almost inaudible by rowdy children.
The procession included Sunday School scholars from all the churches, but these children were perfectly orderly and took their places quietly.
One feature of the procession which excited interest was a pit pony led by a grimy miner, lamp in hand, and drawing a pit tub in which was a chimney sweep with his brushes. By the side walked girls dressed as Red Cross nurses. This pony and tub startled the customers at the Reresby Arms on Sunday morning by parading the concert room to the bar.
A tiny pony, only a few hands high, was also included in the procession. Gaily beribboned it was taken after the demonstration to the Fullerton Hospital and into the wards. One youngster, the bright spirit of the ward, was given a ride round the ward to the great amusement of the older patients lying there.
Mr. Basil Pickering, agent for the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries, presided at the ceremony in the football field, and others on the platform were Mr. W. Still, manager of the Cadeby Colliery; Mr. Tom Williams, M.P. ; Mr. Ben Gethin, chairman of the I Fullerton Hospital Board; Rev. S. Powley, Vicar of Denaby ; Pastor Jarrett, Wesleyan minister, and others.
Mr. Pickering apologised for the absence if Col. A. Connell, surgeon to the Fullerton Hospital who had met with an accident recently, and Mr. G Price, M.P. who had to attend a hospital demonstration in his own division at Brierley. Mr. Pickering congratulated the staff of the hospital on the wonderful they had done, and the Demonstration Committee who organised that day’s event and the sports on the previous day.
A report of the work of the Fullerton Hospital during the last year was given by Mr. Still.
Mr. Tom Williams said that as a result of hospital work during the last 25 years, and improvements in health and social services, the average length of life had been extended by approximately ten years. That was ample justification for the maintenance of their ospitals and the health services. The Chancellor of the Exchequer was beginning to wonder what was going to happen if that progress continued. He was confessing that people lived too long and were becoming a drag on the country.
The greater the discomfiture of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whatever may he his party,” said Mr. Williams, “the greater the success of the hospitals and the health services.”
He attributed the extended period of life to the magnificent work performed by their doctors and nurses. Week by week men had been contributing threepence or fourpence to provide the facilities for the physicians and surgeons to perform their duties. A revolution had taken place and miracles had been worked. They had now the best hospital services, and the finest supporters of hospitals in the world.
The gathering that afternoon was very largely to give thanks for what had already been done, and to explain how the money raised locally had been spent. The best possible service had to be placed at the disposal of the poorest.
Pastor Jarrett and the Rev. W. Ashby spoke briefly.
Mr. Price arrived unexpectedly and caused surprise to those who had been apologising for his absence. He was greeted with applause, and said he had already attended one hospital demonstration that afternoon at Brierley. He looked on hospital demonstrations as family gatherings where the people came together to discuss the general health of the community. In these days of distress men and women throughout the country had contributed £14 ½ millions towards the maintenance of hospitals. That was a wonderful tribute to the voluntary system. Should the State take over the hospitals and run them as State Institutions? It was the first duty of any civilised country to see that institutions that dealt with accidents and sickness were well maintained and equipped.
“I should be one of the first,” he said, “in the event of the failing of the voluntary system, to call on the State to make its contribution.” When they realised that 136,000 miners met with accidents last year they were brought up against the fact that they could not afford to neglect their hospitals and they were forced to make their sacrifices as big they could.
Mr. Ben Gethin, chairman of the Fullerton Hospital Board proposed a vote of thanks to the speakers and organisers.