About The Chichester Nurses League
A Brief History
Founded on 1.1.1922, it was called “The Royal West Sussex Hospital Old Nurses Association”.There were 43 members and the annual subscription was 2/6d which was half a weeks’ wages for a newly qualified Nurse. There were also 13 Honorary members.
The first Reunion was held on 12.8.1922 and began with a service in the Hospital Chapel. There were 21 members present.
In 1937 the title was changed to “The Nurses League Royal West Sussex Hospital”.
All Reunions have begun with a service, held in the Hospital Chapel until 1953 when numbers made the Chapel too small. The service was held in the Chichester Cathedral in ’54, ’55, ’56 and ’58. Although founded in 1922, there were no Reunions in 1944, 1945 and 1970.
In 1963 those training at St Richard’s Hospital became eligible for membership.
In 1968 the service was held in the Chapel at St. Richard’s Hospital for the first time, since when only 3 services have been held at The Royal West Sussex Hospital.
Presidents have all been the Hospital Matron until 1973 when, with the reorganisation of the Health Service the role of Matron was abolished. Miss Shippam, Hospital Consultant, agreed to become President.
In 1974, the luncheon was held at the Dolphin and Anchor for its 50th anniversary and the service took place in the cathedral. With the amalgamation of all the Chichester Hospitals, including Graylingwell, once again the title changed and we became “The Chichester Nurses League”. Membership is open to all nurses who trained or have been working for two years or more within the group.
1975 saw Miss Green take over as Treasurer and Miss Shippam planted a Quince tree outside the nurses’ home to commemorate the 50th anniversary. 1976 -The Florence Nightingale plaque from the old Nightingale ward at Royal West Sussex Hospital was mounted in the Out patients Hall at St. Richard’s Hospital for all to see.
The League numbered 203 members by 1981 and became registered as a Charity.
Miss Burchell died in 1982 and left a substantial legacy. Life membership was introduced in 1983.
The 60th Reunion (1984) was held in the Charles Martin Hall at Royal West Sussex Hospital after a service in the Cathedral. Photographs were taken outside the front of the Hospital with the Wisteria in full bloom.
1985 brought the start of Christmas monies going to those members over 75 years of age. A lunch was arranged each year due to popular demand. By 1989 membership numbered 232.
The question of discontinuing the Hospital badge was discussed at length at the1990 meeting. The Director of Nurse Education considered that “Nurses do not need badges or hats, it’s not a matter of money, they are just not necessary, all they need are certificates”.
1991 – 267 members. The need to promote the League to newly qualified nurses prompted production of a new leaflet and Committee members arranged to speak to those newly qualified on their courses.
1992 – 286 members. Subscriptions increased to £3 for annual membership and £50 for Life membership.
1993 – Line drawings of the Royal West Sussex Hospital were available for purchase. The First intake of the Project 2000 nurses began. Regional Officers decided to re-organise nurse education - therefore Chichester would amalgamate with Guildford University. “The outcome will be that Chichester will operate as a “satellite” of Guildford because the practical placements in Chichester will be much needed”.
The 70th anniversary was in 1994 when on the Friday before Reunion, 40 members met outside the old Royal West to have conducted tours of the Main building which brought back memories to them all. The building was put up for sale this year. The Wisteria was in full bloom. The Constitution was changed in order to be up to date with the RGN registration.
1996 saw the death of the President – Miss Shippam who had been in office since 1973. Mrs Hilliard was voted in as the new President.
The Chapel at St. Richard’s Hospital was replaced by a smaller version so the service is now held in the Chichester Medical Education Centre.
A Portrait of Miss Shippam was unveiled in CMEC by Mr John Shippam in 1999. With Millennium approaching it was decided to create a montage to show various aspects of Nursing at the Royal West Sussex Hospitals.
This was shown to all at our 2000 meeting and was duly hung within the St Richard’s Hospital Healthcare Studies Centre.
2001 saw Mrs Hilliard retire as President and the post transferred to Mrs Jakki Burns. Membership numbers down to 227.
2004 – 209 members. Due to the demolition of the old Nurses home, the Quince tree was to be removed. The chance of it surviving the move was slim so a new tree was planted with the original plaque on it, out side the front entrance of the new Hospital. There is also a now well established Wisteria, a cutting from the original at RWSH, growing at the side of the Main entrance.
2006 – Miss Daphne Price retired as Secretary after 30years in the post.
2008 – 198 members. In order to increase awareness of the League a Web site has been created.
To view a a copy of our constitution, please click here.