Spalding reunion of nurses who trained in 1960s – when £8 in wages would last for a month
A reunion has taken place for five friends who trained in nursing during the 1960s – when an £8 wage would last for a month.
The group of women - Pauline Saunders, Jo Croxford, Monica Ilett, Carole Manser and Jenny Watkins – were trainees in their teens in 1962 and are soon to become octogenarians.
Mrs Saunders (79), originally from Moulton Chapel, has two children and lives in Spalding with her husband and also attended Gleed school along with fellow nursing trainees Monica and Carole.
Leaving home at the age of 16 she decided to embark on a career in nursing.
Her training was at the General Hospital in King’s Lynn where the three friends then met Jo Croxford and Jenny Watkins.
Mrs Saunders, who turns 80 this November, met her friends at the Royal Mail Cart pub, Pinchbeck following a break of a few years due to Covid and family commitments.
She said: “It was lovely to meet up again – they’re all part of the family.
“When we meet up even after years it’s as though we have not been away.”
Since their training each has gone on to a career in the medical profession – including midwifery and in the accident and emergency unit.
Mrs Saunders did further studies as an advanced nurse practitioner, marrying in 1966 she worked at the old Johnson Hospital after moving from Lynn.
She said: “It was very interesting – I was a young girl who left home to go to work – on the maternity ward and the medical records office.
“The day my parents took me I thought the Queen Elizabeth was going to be a ship – but it was the name of the maternity unit.
“They have all done well – we had a bond through training – the ups and downs, happiness and tears and sharing experiences.”
Mrs Saunders lived in hospital accommodation which was mandatory and has witnessed many changes, not least in wages.
She said: “I have seen lots of changes - not necessarily for the better – these recent strikes, though things were not as costly then.
“We were just glad to get whatever – it was all set out in those days and we were penny pinching.
“After board and lodgings, deductions and laundry my pay packet was £8 for the month.”
Witnessing many changes over the decades Mrs Saunders has also seen a change in uniform, having worn the now-iconic traditional starched aprons, hats and collars and the navy cape with the red lining.
She said: “We used to turn the capes inside out at Christmas and sing carols to the patients.
“You could write a note on the bottom of the starched aprons – these were replaced with plastic so there is no risk of infection.”
Her granddaughter is expressing an interest in nursing, as her own daughter did too, with a career in CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) as a consultant psychiatrist.
The group of friends have stayed in touch over the years and attended each other’s weddings and hope to meet again next year.
Mrs Saunders said: “We have always kept in touch with Christmas cards.
“We must do it again next year and not leave it as long as this time.
“It was lovely to meet up again – we had a great chat.”