St James Hospital And The Arranmore

A Memory of Balham.

I was a Student Nurse at St James Hospital, Balham, from 1964 - 1968, sadly it's no longer there. As students, we worked hard but also played hard. We were well looked after in those days. Living in the Nurses' Home, (under the stern eye of the Home Sister) we had our own room but shared facilities. Visitors were only allowed in the sitting room on the ground floor. When we finished work it was quite common to find yourself sitting in the bath with your cap still on! Our uniform was sent to the laundry once a week and returned spotless with the cap, collar and apron heavily starched. Best of all... all our meals were free.
On a Saturday night, some of us would trundle off down to The Arranmore, (apologies if I've spelt it wrong) an Irish club in Balham High Street. Often, after a long day's work and having to get up at the crack of dawn the next day, we would dance the night away. Unfortunately, I can't recall the name of the resident band but I remember one song they always played at the end of the evening, Do the Hucklebuck.
Such good memories. Gill Day nee Crowe

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