Call out for nurses as part of reunion

A pair of nurses are appealing to reconnect with their fellow trainees as part of a 40-year reunion.
Nurses who trained at the old Sharoe Green Hospital from 1976 to 1979.
Angela Fletcher is third from left middle row;  Elaine Stringer is fifth from right back row and Charlotte Allen is eighth from right back rowNurses who trained at the old Sharoe Green Hospital from 1976 to 1979.
Angela Fletcher is third from left middle row;  Elaine Stringer is fifth from right back row and Charlotte Allen is eighth from right back row
Nurses who trained at the old Sharoe Green Hospital from 1976 to 1979. Angela Fletcher is third from left middle row; Elaine Stringer is fifth from right back row and Charlotte Allen is eighth from right back row

A PAIR of nurses are appealing to reconnect with their fellow trainees as part of a 40-year reunion.

Elaine Stringer and Angela Fletcher, who were schooled at old Sharoe Green Hospital/Preston Royal Infirmary from 1976 to 1979, are looking for other former students to attend a meal at Angelos, in Preston, on September 3.

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Once they qualified, the nurses went their separate ways, but Elaine and Angela, both 58, have always kept in touch.

Front left Charlotte Allen,  back left Sue Winder now Haydock. Centre Janet Almond. 3rd right Sue Whittaker now Mayor. 
Right Bernadette Doherty. Front with doll Cathy Ellis.Front left Charlotte Allen,  back left Sue Winder now Haydock. Centre Janet Almond. 3rd right Sue Whittaker now Mayor. 
Right Bernadette Doherty. Front with doll Cathy Ellis.
Front left Charlotte Allen, back left Sue Winder now Haydock. Centre Janet Almond. 3rd right Sue Whittaker now Mayor. Right Bernadette Doherty. Front with doll Cathy Ellis.

After her training, Angela, of Leyland, worked in intensive care at Royal Preston Hospital for a year, before she went on maternity leave.

She returned to the profession in 1994 as a school nurse. She later took up safeguarding and also became a health visitor.

She is now a practice teacher in school nursing, as well as a health visitor trainer in Blackburn.

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The grandmother-of-one said: “I have fond memories. We did a lot of ward-based practical work.

Elaine Stringer (second right) with former nursing friends - Sharoe Green HospitalElaine Stringer (second right) with former nursing friends - Sharoe Green Hospital
Elaine Stringer (second right) with former nursing friends - Sharoe Green Hospital

“I loved living in the nurses’ house in Sharoe Green. Living on-site, you felt part of the hospital and community.

“I am still in contact with Elaine and another woman, Charlotte Allen, who lives in Australia.

“As she is coming to the UK, we thought it would be a great idea to round up some others and have a reunion for our ruby anniversary.

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“We will meet at Angelos, as that was where we all went out.”

Front left Charlotte Allen,  back left Sue Winder now Haydock. Centre Janet Almond. 3rd right Sue Whittaker now Mayor. 
Right Bernadette Doherty. Front with doll Cathy Ellis.Front left Charlotte Allen,  back left Sue Winder now Haydock. Centre Janet Almond. 3rd right Sue Whittaker now Mayor. 
Right Bernadette Doherty. Front with doll Cathy Ellis.
Front left Charlotte Allen, back left Sue Winder now Haydock. Centre Janet Almond. 3rd right Sue Whittaker now Mayor. Right Bernadette Doherty. Front with doll Cathy Ellis.

Once Elaine qualified, she took a post in the intensive care unit at Preston, before she moved to Whiston Hospital. The grandmother-one returned to Preston’s general wards and she began her training as a health visitor in 1983.

She also took a specialist post in safeguarding children in Blackburn in 2009. She retired in 2013 but has since returned to work as a part-time health visitor in Knowsley.

Elaine, who lives in Runcorn, said: “I have put together a few feelers on Facebook and whilst people are keen to share their memories, I have not had much response from people.

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“It is good to be nostalgic and reminisce about our training days.

Elaine Stringer (second right) with former nursing friends - Sharoe Green HospitalElaine Stringer (second right) with former nursing friends - Sharoe Green Hospital
Elaine Stringer (second right) with former nursing friends - Sharoe Green Hospital

“I remember spending a lot of time in classrooms. It was a lot more disciplined as I felt I was at school. I felt unprepared and frightened of putting a foot wrong.

“When I have students who come out with me, they seem more confident and relaxed.”

The nurses’ enthusiasm for the profession has spread across the family, as Elaine’s daughter Helen is a midwife and Angela’s daughter, Sarah Tipping, works at the renal hub in Preston.

If any nurses trained with Angela and Elaine wish to take part in the reunion, email [email protected].

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