As far back as the 19th century the staff of the county hospitals worked hard to make the festive season enjoyable for the patients in hospital over that period of time.
Donated items would be given by the local population for both patients and staff.
During WW1 there were specific requests for the wounded soldiers which included cigarettes, tobacco, beer and Christmas note-paper and stamps, to allow them to write home to their families.
Children were given toys, books and scrapbooks and adults would receive sweets, books, magazines and crackers.
Donations of eggs, game (Pheasant and rabbit), meat and fruit would be welcomed by the hospital kitchens to allow a more varied menu.
[caption id="attachment_6885" align="aligncenter" width="980"] Nativity 1959[/caption] From the early 20th century the nurses had a tradition of a competition for the ward with the best Christmas decorations, which was taken very seriously.
We have in the archive the cups that were presented to the winning wards, one from Northampton General Hospital (NGH) and the other from St.
Edmund’s Hospital.
On Christmas Day the Mayor would make a tour of all the wards, talking to the patients and staff.
Consultant surgeons would be allocated wards to perform the ceremony of carving the turkey, in front of a captive audience.
It was obviously assumed that they were adept with knives!
Nurses would tour the wards singing carols in their off-duty time.
It was in the days when cloaks were worn and for this tradition they would reverse the cloak to show the scarlet side, I always found it quite moving.
Many of these traditions faded over time.
Christmas decorations were deemed a source of infection and were then only found in the public areas of the hospital.
Turkey carving stopped when the meals came already served up from the kitchen.
However, what still remains strong to this day is the involvement of the general public.
Every Christmas the Greenheart Charity at the hospital runs a campaign to give a gift to every patient who will be an in-patient over that time and the response is always amazing.
Merry Christmas from Sue and team at the Museum and Archive at NGH.