Harlow Wood Orthopeadic Hospital

The Duchess of York and Duchess of Portland at the opening of the Hospital 3rd August 1929

Private Collection

A photcopied page from the visitors book 1945

Private Collection

Mr Pastry (Richard Hearne) 1966

Private Collection

'we have both got a chain' 1968

Private Collection

Did he save the plaster?

Private Collection

The expressions say it all

Private Collection

Co-Co the clown 1969. having a great time with a little friend

Private Collection

Visit by the Duke of Kent

Private Collection

Leslie Crowther making them laugh 1976

Chad E+462A-11

April 1975 A Womble at Harlow Wood

Chad D1765-17

Visitors to the Hospital

By Pauline Marples

Visitors from Welbeck Abbey

Throughout the life of Harlow Wood Hospital there were numerous visitors. Among them were people who were staying at Welbeck Abbey with the Duke and Duchess of Portland. The Hospital was such an important part of the Duchess's life that she would encourage her guests to visit patients there.

The Duchess herself was a regular visitor to the hospital.

Leather Visitors Book

A leather bound Visitors Book contained the signatures of all the visitors. The first signature in the book written on the 3rd August 1929 was Elizabeth the then Duchess of York, followed by Albert her husband the Duke of York- they were later to become HRH King George V and Queen Elizabeth. A third signature on that page was Winifred Portland.

This visitor’s book gave an insight into the many types of visitors from royalty, politicians, cricketers, entertainers, civic dignitaries, and many many more. It was a valuable asset in the history of this hospital

Missing

Sadly when Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital Closed in 1995 the visitors book was not to be found.

Photographs

Fortunately photographs were taken of many of the visitors to the hospital.

These are just a selection of them.

Each photograph tells its own story.

Acknowledgement - it is not possible to name individually the many people who have contributed over past years to my information on Harlow Wood Hospital, they are all acknowledged. The original source of some documents and photographs are unknown, anything published is done so in good faith to share the information and keep the memory of this wonderful hospital alive