Rushden TB After-Care Committee

People

Mrs Hensman with Nellie Dickens (l) and Barbara Ward (r) two former matrons of the Sanatorium.

When the Rushden TB After-Care Committee was established in 1929 Dr Greenfield was elected Chairman, Miss A M Sharwood secretary, and Mr W. F Capon Treasurer. Dr Crane was the Superintendent of the Rushden House San and remained there until 1940 when the committee recalled his passing and paid tribute to the great work he had done in organising the Committee. He was succeeded by Dr G.B. Lord who also became Chairman of the Visiting Committee.

In 1950 the annual report  recorded “The passing of our esteemed president Dr Greenfield was a great loss. He took an active part in forming the committee and it was largely through his efforts that the Occupational Therapy Centre was started. He was chairman of the Executive Committee from 1939 – 1940 and president from 1940 to his death.”

22 March 1952 an enjoyable social evening was held for members and their friends when presentations were made to the Treasurer Mr W E Capon and the secretary Miss A M Sharwood in recognition of their 21 years service. Mr Capon retired in 1955 after 26 years as Treasurer. He left the town in 1961, having been made a vice president. He died in March 1969.

In 1961 Dr G.B. Lord, retired from the post of Medical Superintendent of the San and also relinquished the Chairmanship of the Visiting Committee, a post he had held for more than 20 years. Dr C.E. Fisher accepted the Chairmanship, thus retaining the 31 years connection with the San. Dr G.B.Lord died on 2 Feb 1974 and tributes were paid to him at the AGM. He had had a long association with the county, first as TB Medical Officer to the Northamptonshire County Council, and from 1940 – 1961 as Medical Superintendent to the Rushden San. He built up a fine service and was largely responsible for securing one of the first Mass Radiography Units to be set up in England. He was keenly interested in after care work and was chairman of the visiting committee for 21 years. On his retirement in 1961 he was elected President of the Executive Committee. In 1976 Dr Fisher resigned both as Chest Consultant to the Hospital and as Chairman of the Visiting Committee which he had held for 16 years. He agreed to continue as a member of the Executive Committee and his successor at the Hospital, Dr S.A Shahid was to become chairman of the Visiting Committee.

On 30 June 1966 Mrs B Ward retired as Matron of the Rushden Hospital. Three members of the committee attended a social gathering at the Hospital when Mrs Ward was presented with a TV set and a cheque.

In 1963 the December meeting was a social occasion to mark the 80^th birthday of Mrs Hensman who was presented with a marcasite brooch as a token of esteem and appreciation. “After 30 years of devoted service she is still an active member of the committee and is doing valuable work at the San as honorary Occupational Therapist and Librarian.” Mrs Hensman continued her association with the committee and the San. On 1 December 1973 “a happy gathering at the Hospital wished Mrs Hensman a happy 90^th birthday and presented her with an antique map of Northamptonshire.”

Mrs Hensman with the painted address presented to mark her 100th birthday

December 2 1983 saw Mrs Hensman’s 100^th birthday and Dr Fisher and Mr Thacker presented her with a hand painted address on behalf of the After Care Committee and the Friends of Rushden Hospital. Many friends and members visited on that day and over 200 names were recorded in the Visitor’s Book. The address read as follows:

"We, the members of the Rushden After Care Committee and the Friends of Rushden Hospital, send their greetings and best wishes to Mrs Hensman on her 100th birthday and on this auspicious occasion thank Mrs Hensman for all her help and service that she has given to the people of Rushden and their Hospital over many years." It was dated 2 December 1983 and was signed by the Chairman of the After Care Committee and the Chairman of the Friends of Rushden Hospital

She had received the MBE in 1977 in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours List . Three members of the committee had attended the presentation which had been made at Rushden Hospital by the Lord Lieutenant. Mrs Hensman died on 6 September 1984 at the age of 100, a revered and greatly respected member of the committee and Vice President who had devoted many years to building up the library at the hospital and teaching handicrafts to the patients.

In 1978 tributes were paid to the late Mr A.C.Colton who had chaired the executive committee for 24 years and had been President since 1970.

On 22 September 1979 a special 50^thAnniversary celebration was held in the Day Centre for patients and their wives.The celebration was for both the formation of the committee and for Miss Sharwood’s term of office as secretary. The presentation of a quartz carriage clock by Dr Fisher was a complete surprise and in accepting the gift Miss Sharwood thanked the committee past and present for all the help she had received.

Miss A.M. Sharwood died 15 October 1986 and tribute was paid to her in the annual report:

“The day after our last executive meeting, Mrs B Knight and Mrs J White visited Miss Sharwood, conveying the fond thoughts of all members, yet little realising that so soon afterwards a severe stroke would take her from us.

A lady of great character and personality, a founder member/secretary of the After Care Committee from its inaugural meeting on 29 December 1929, secretary for over 50 years and an active Vice President until her death. She was instrumental in the policy planning, proven and soundly constant through many changing circumstances, planning and guiding through the slump of the early thirties, the war years of 1939 – 1945, post-war shortages and the reorganisation involved in the National Health Scheme. Recognition of her devoted service was made on her 21^st year as secretary, also her 50^th year and in silent tribute the meeting stood in remembrance of one who through her long and active life had guided and encouraged by her devotion and fine example.”

The following year, in her memory, a memorial plaque was placed under the existing one to her father in the ward which carried their name.

In 1996 it was reported that “our long serving Life President Dr O. E. Fisher died and a memorial service was held at St Mary’s church.”

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