H.O.T Hugh, Owen And Thomas

Hi. I was on Anne white ward in 79/ 81. My name was Dianna Gough. I also went to the school there with Mrs Hughes.

I was twice an inmate in H.O. T. In the early 1950s. I had a lung condition and I was confined there during the summer to get away from the smokey atmosphere of Liverpool. I have mixed feelings about my experience. The worst thing was only seeing your parents twice a month but the best was the freedom us boys were given in the afternoons. We went wild in the woods and gorse jungle with all its secret passages and when we got fed up of that we escaped over the railings to the dales or the village. That was only until we went into a sweet shop in our distinctive blue jerseys and shorts and came face to face with the matron. I think she was just as startled as we were. We were always put to bed very early in the evening (perhaps even late afternoon) and I well remember gazing longingly across the Dee to the Welsh hills bathed in sunshine. Most of us had to sleep over a "nelson" which was most uncomfortable and I always looked forward to early morning when it was lowered and you could get some proper, stretched-out sleep. I also remember a clanking water well, just like an oil well and my mother appearing once at the railings with a bowl for us to fill with blackberries, in exchange for some toffees!

I believe that Hugh Owen Thomas was a benefactor to the hospital, hence the ward was named after him.

I was in Heswall Childrens hospital from 1981 to 1982 I on Florence Nightingale Ward. I had a good friend called Anne - Marie Cunningham she was around the same age as me she use to arrive by taxi to the hospital and get picked up by taxi . I would to love to hear from here. I also new a girl called Justine. I remember a lovely welsh nurse called Maria, if anyone was round this time in hospital and might remember me my name is Sandra Worthington and I live in Warrington 47 now loved to hear from you.

Hi Vanessa
I think I do remember you if you had long blonde hair, I was on Hugh Owen Thomas 1980
Maria Lonergan