Set 446
Memories of the day
Our 30 year Reunion
28 April 2007
To remind yourself of what we did on the day, click here » 'plan of the day'
Photos of the day » click here
Lesley's memories of the reunion
What a great day it was. I couldn't stop thinking about it all the next day. I know-- sad bugger! I wasn't sure about going, but I really enjoyed myself and it was lovely to see so many "old" faces. It occurred to me that 30yrs ago I knew so few of the set members, and had probably not exchanged more that 20 words with most girls whilst training as youth, shyness and Mrs Scrivener, tended to keep us with the people we worked at Mile End, Bethnal Green or Whitechapel with, but now I'm nearly 50, I'll talk to anyone!!
It was lovely to speak to people I had never really met before and I only wish there had been more time. Sorry I wasn't able to go to the Blind Beggar after the canteen, but Annabel said she would turn into a pumpkin if she didn't get the next train-- she didn't really!
I felt a great sense of pride looking round Whitechapel and it made me thankful that I had had a wonderful life experience like nursing, but I will never commit myself to saying I enjoyed it!
If anyone wants to contact me my e-mail is lesley.ashley@btinternet.com
Stella's memories of the reunionThank you for making 28th April 2007 such a memorable day. The whole concept of past present and the future was brought together so well. The A& E dept tour restored my faith in how the public can receive first rate and appropriate treatment a stark contrast to how things operate in Eastbourne. The Blind Beggar obviously still has an attraction with the police !!!! Say no more, but Annabel must have been involved as an inside job. Our meal at The passage to India made us feel rather special as we had the whole restaurant to ourselves, they didn’t seem to mind us taking over and having the opportunity to well and truly catch up on everyone’s activities over the past thirty years. At that point my feet were doing ok, the walk over the London site, visiting new, old and “in the process buildings” finally told a tale when I got home at 10.45pm.
The original plan was to then go on to a fortieth birthday party but sadly I felt that the day had been so good that I was quite happy to give my apologies at the late hour, and catch up with the friends some other time. In other words I was knackered!!!!! The mind is willing it’s just that the body sometimes has a different agenda. Take care to everyone and lets see how many more 446 souls can be reached for the next reunion.
Heather's memories of the reunion
It was great to see all that were able to come along....astonishing to see people that I've not had contact with for years and to be able to catch up with them, others that looked even younger than they did in 1977 (how dare you Julia!), and to enjoy the whole experience of being back in Whitechapel for a day. Lunch in the Indian and a good natter and catch up was great...Isn't eating and talking wonderful! I was really surprised to have the London tour and to see what I remembered as huge Victorian wards with a whopping Big End as so small.....not sure what's happened to my memory banks! The only thing I really recognised during the fab tour was Milward Ward with its original layout... Oh and the staircases~ remember much running and down them!
For me the highlight of the day was meeting up with other people with whom I spent some time earlier in my life and continue to know as friends....As I get older, I become more aware of the people who I've made this journey with and the quality of relationship that I've had with them that adds so much richness to life.......You're right, It's been a long day and I've just had a glass of post-work wine!
So, I look forward to the next reunion, and hope that in the interim I get to see a bit more of everyone! Work and home life and everything else seem at times to conspire against keeping in touch.....I will try harder!
Thanks so much Jane for putting so much into the day, for all your organising and thoughtful preparation (make sure you include this!). Looking forward to keeping in touch
Annabel's
memories of the reunion
It was brilliant to meet up with people not seen for many years, some not seen for 27 years! I had my memory very stimulated and spent a long time afterwards thinking over all the people I had met and what they were doing now. I certainly don’t want to lose touch. The funniest bit was not being able to get in the Blind Beggar due to a police swarm, nothing changes!!
Jane
The tour of A&E was interesting and what a massive place with so many different areas within the department. Lucy, the Sister who was our tour guide did a magnificent job, especially as it was the 1st time we had seen each other and the desire to run off and chat was immense. Everyone controlled themselves very well and managed to stay focus on the tour.
Option 2 was to meet in the Blind Beggar - 'big mistake, big, HUGE'
(Pretty Woman, 1990) When we arrived there to meet up with Annabel and Lesley we were greeted by over 50 Police Officers in riot gear - had they heard about the reunion???? No, Millwall FC supporters had opted to drink there prior to there match with Bristol City (they won 1-0 but didn't return to Whitechapel to celebrate, phew!)The meal was delicious and we had the whole restaurant to ourselves. At last, a chance to sit down and catch up with everyone. Almost everyone was armed with a camera and lots of photo shoots were going on. Time flew past and before we knew it we had 10mins to get back the London to meet with Charlie (Deputy Director of Nursing) at 1500.
Now seated in the John Ellis Lecture Theatre in the basement of the London, a hot drink in one hand and Charlie up at the front bringing us up to speed with the new hospital build. After his presentation and before our tour of the Wards we tested out his photographic skills! A group photo was in order and Charlie kindly managed to operate all 13 cameras put before him!
Some of the Wards have been renamed (list of Ward names at the London in 2007 » click here) We walked around outside to see the new buildings; the Medical School and the Pathology & Pharmacy building. Back inside we walked around a large medical ward and then up to the 4th floor to a new ward built in the design for the new hospital tower block yet to be built. The ward had really wide corridors and seemed to go on forever in a square. There were bays of patients behind doors off the corridors. The main desk had flat screen monitors displaying each of the bays, resembled a security guards station more than a Nurses Station. We all muttered our longing for tidy, ordered wards where everyone could be observed and located with one glance around.
We were now worn and in need of a drink. Did we disappear of to the pub? No, we went to the canteen for a cup of tea! This was the biggest shock of the day for me. For many people with a long journey ahead it was time to say goodbye and capture addresses and telephone numbers before making for the station. 7 of us went off to the Blind Beggar for a welcome sit down and a drink, sharing some final reflections of the day.
We have all agreed to stay in touch now and meet up again in 2012 for our 35th Anniversary. I hope everyone took home lots of memories of a great day together. Roll on 2012 x