THE 75th anniversary of the NHS was marked by a party at Barnard Castle’s Richardson Hospital on Wednesday.
The event, organised by the hospital’s Friends group, featured live music, refreshments, an exhibition and tombola.
There was also a unique NHS waterfall of blue hearts which had been made by Friends members as well as the general public.
Carol Atkinson, of the Friends, said: “It is fabulous – It is just how different the hearts are and how people have interpreted it. Some are crochet, knitted, paper ones and felt.” She added that some had been made from old nurse uniforms in different shades of blue representing the different types of nurses from assistants to staff nurses.
A highlight was the performance of Ormskirk singer Hattie Bee who sang hits from the 1940s and 1950s.
Friends member Iris Hillery said: “She sang at the 70th anniversary and the staff wanted her back.”
Dental nurse Gail Foster, who specialises in children and adults with special needs, was full of praise for the Friends group, which among other things have arranged for special equipment for the hospital and kitted out a kitchen. She said: ‘They are absolutely amazing – they give us chocolate at Christmas and gifts. They are very generous.” Catering for the day was sponsored by Blossom Homecare and provided by Shona Robinson of Oliver Twists.
