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Search forPaying tribute to a great servant
Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 08:00
I remember Nurse Reeves well and would like to record my grateful memories of her for the benefit of her relatives.
My son was born on January 1, 1955 in the Maternity Unit at Gloucester Royal Hospital at the beginning of a severe cold spell of weather. At that time mothers were kept in hospital for 14 days after the birth during which time the babies were only brought to the mother for feeds. Mothers had virtually no contact with their babies until the day before they were discharged from hospital when they were rather hastily taught how to bath and dress the baby and change a nappy.
My husband and I were living in two rooms in the upstairs of a house in Churchdown with use of a downstairs kitchen but there was no heating, other than a small bedroom coal fire, no hot water, no washing machine and only a clothes line in the garden for drying. On being discharged from hospital and returning home I felt anxious as to how best to care for my tiny baby until the arrival of Nurse Reeves (on her bicycle) a couple of days later. I remember so clearly seeing her standing at the door with a wonderful smile, with a reassuring "hello, and how are you and baby getting on"?
I was so relieved that here was someone who could guide and support me.
Following that first encounter I eagerly awaited her regular visits and walked joyfully every week to her baby clinic in the village where she always greeted mothers and babies with open arms. She was not just the district nurse, she was a Mary Poppins on a bike and just a wonderful lady.
After a two year wait we were eventually able to buy a home in Longlevens but I still walked with my young son in his pram to the clinic in Churchdown just to see my dear friend Nurse Reeves. A truly great public servant.
Irene Jones
Longlevens
It's £1.14 round our way. I can hardly afford to get to work!
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