Hello, Do you have special memories of Cranleigh, especially the cottage hospital?
Have you ever been into the old cottage itself? Or do you know someone who has? What used to happen in there?
We would like to hear your memories as soon as you can? Some people with wonderful stories to tell are no longer with us, let’s share while we can.
We have set up to make people welcome and to chat about their memories, and to be videoed too if that’s ok?
That way your memories will become a library of great importance to others living and enjoying the area and its heritage.
Please get in touch to arrange how to get their, and a time to suit you, or just come along. Or we can arrange to visit you on another day if that is better.
contact details – Sue and Trevor – 01483 272987
We look forward to a fun afternoon with tea and cakes, chatter and memories.
best regards
The Team
Memories of the 50’s and very early 60’s.
Opposite the now double doors was the operating theatre with the doors open when not in use.
From the high ceiling hung a large cream metal theatre lamp. Around the walls were cream metal cupboards filled with surgical instruments. The operating table in the centre dominated the room.
Operations were tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies, appendicectomies, removal of varicose veins, moles, grommets , stitching up .
The G.ps performed many of the routines but occasional consultants came from the old Royal Surrey.
The after care from the nurses was excellent with home cooked meals and easy access from relatives.
From the classrooms of Ms Maltravers and Mr Philpot you could see into the hospital with all the comings and goings of nurses, doctors and patients.
I’m not sure but most surgery finished by 1962 but the minor injuries carried on for well into the 90’s.
Michael Wild
My wife and I arrived in Cranleigh in 1965 not knowing the railway would close.
There was much development then in the 197’s so Pat Shean and I met with the Revd Fred
Johnson, and the lovely Mr Barber at his home on the Common that was the Parish Office in those days.
It was through these talks that not only did we form ‘Welcome To Cranleigh’ to welcome all newcomers into our 53 Clubs and Societies at that time; but to comfort people who were in our Village Hospital.
Half a dozen of us would make a weekly visit to the hospital armed with hymn books (no printed sheets in those days) and just inside a cupboard in the entrance was stored a very old Peddle Organ. The individual ward doors left open as the joyful music filled the whole hospital with joy.
We had three children and if they fell, they know to just pop in and someone in the hospital would care for them. Happy memories.
ps To Trevor – Happy Belated Birthday for yesterday