People flock to Care, Create, Conserve display
Date of release: 2 December 2024
More than 200 people flocked to a history fair in Wolverhampton, with many signing up to an oral history project on healthcare.
Helen Steatham and Helen Trainer with some of the exhibits at the history fair
Items – including an early version of a nasal cannula – were displayed at the fair at the Wolverhampton City Archive in the Molineux Hotel Building.
A stall was hosted by volunteers from the Care, Create, Conserve project, part of the Arts and Heritage Group of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) Charity.
People handled a collection which includes a pair of Tudor Edwards oxygen spectacles from the 1930s, and a medicine bottle from Wolverhampton-based chemist Reade Brothers and Company.
Items were from both the former Royal Hospital which closed in 1997, and New Cross Hospital, part of RWT, where the Royal’s services were transferred to.
Elinor Cole, Arts and Heritage Co-ordinator, said: “The event went very well. The archive had 250 people through the door despite poor weather, and the volunteers spoke to 60 people, having in-depth conversations with each.
“We got some sign-ups for our oral history project, and a fair few memories shared on our A2 display board – someone even recognised herself in one of our old photographs!
“We also made some lovely connections with other groups and heritage venues, including the Wolves Museum.”
Volunteer Helen Steatham said: “Most people we spoke to had memories of the Royal and a few had worked there.
“It was lovely to hear how much it meant to them. The staff had particularly fond memories, and many had a tale to tell.
“Having a small selection of medical objects on display and allowing visitors to handle them was a great conversation starter, and engaged even the few visitors who were unfamiliar with the Royal.
“Visitors were fascinated by the oxygen spectacles and baby feeding bottle, while the ear syringe inspired quite a lot of speculation.”
Fellow volunteer Helen Trainer said: “It was brilliant able to talk to people about the history of Wolverhampton hospitals.
“It was also great to be able to sign up people to the oral history project, and to hear their stories, for future generations to listen to.
“Most people had lovely memories of the Royal. A few people worked there, and two described the ‘pebbly’ surface on the floor of the swimming pool!
“Folk were very interested in holding the objects – they loved the oxygen spectacles and Nurses’ badges.”
The Care, Create, Conserve display was one of numerous stalls featuring community groups, local history groups and genealogy societies.
Historians, organisations, and individuals shared their knowledge, answered questions and told people about their activities.
Care, Create, Conserve is an 18-month long programme of arts and heritage activity, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Central to this project is a Healthcare Heritage Centre, housed at Wolverhampton Central Library, which has started to exhibit the Trust’s fascinating collection of medical artefacts, photographs, and memorabilia.
It also acts as a community co-creation hub, hosting a vibrant programme of talks, events, and workshops.
Anyone interested in taking part in the oral history project can email elinor.cole@nhs.net
ENDS
- For further information, please call Tim Nash on 07714 741097 or email tim.nash2@nhs.net
