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Kentish Gazett

e, October 11, 1968

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Banishing the blues at The Close Hospital, Bridge. Residents are being taught by voluntary helpers to make articles from
leather and sea shells which are later sold.

Banishing

A scheme to banish‘ boredom
among long-term patients and
residents at The Close Hospital,

Bridge, has been established
through the initiative of the
superintendent,‘ Mr. H. K.

Urwin.

He describes it as “diversiona1
therapy" and the aim is to keep
the patients mentally alert and
help them to develop skill in the
use of their hands.

So 14 patients and residents,
whose ages range from 46 to
88, are now working 05 a group
and producing — and selling —— a
variety of articles made from
sea. shells, leather, and other
handcraft materials.

The group meets on Wednes-
day afternoons under the super-
vision of two voluntary helpers,
Mrs, M, Carless, of the Bridge
Women’s Institute, and Mr. E.
Pomeroy, a member of the
Bridge branch of the League of
Friends of Canterbury Hospitals.

“And we couldn't manage
without them," said Mr. Urwin,
“because no public funds are
available for this work so the
scheme must be self-supporting.”

What do members of the group
think about it’?

Miss Nellie Hopkins, a 46-year-
old spastic, with only limited use
of her hands, has found a. new
interest in life and 88-yearold
‘Mr. Walter Tipping, who has

lived at The Close for over 10
years, has become quite an ex-
pert on shellcraft work.

Another permanent resident,
lMr. Cyril Russell (72), is also
enjoying the pleasure of creative
{work but sprightly, cheerful Miss
!'§1‘;+~«: T’-c::<lm1 (G-ill uhn lama

boredom

-in hospital

spent 30 years in various hos-
pitals, is the star pupil.

Although physical infirmity
confines her to her room--which
she shares with Billy, her green
budgerigar—Miss Pegden is an
expertneedlewoman, makes
ch ldren’s soft toys, and produces
a variety of leather work, stools,
and other articles.

The group specialises in the
decoration of ash trays, small
boxes and similar articles with
sea shells or mosaic work, the
finished pieces being exhibited
for sale in the entrance hall of
the hospital.

And one day—who knows?-
they may be as expensive and
eagerly sought-after as Victor-
iana is today.

Mr. Urwin told the “Kentish
Gazette" that the group would
welcome sea shells, large or
small, for ornamental use, and
fancy wine bottles for lamp
standards.

Anyone interested in helping
with handicraft in the wards
one afternoon a. week should
contact Mr. Urwin.

 

> 

Turned down

Plans to build 20 terraced
houses at The Red House, Lon-
don Road, Canterbury, have
been turned down by the City
Council. In refusing planning
permission the Council said
the development was excessive
for the site and would result in
an ovcr—intensivc use of Fisher
llmv-.l in’ Wziffii‘

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