Let the campaign begin
We are loosing 1,000 building in the centre of Christchurch, 12,000 homes are to be demolished, some suburbs will never be built on again.
These figures became personal when I looked for my favourite shop to buy wool. I drove around the streets looking for an entrance to Peterborough Street, I want the best choice available to get some grey wool for an Aaron style jersey for Grandson Reuben. Eventually I gave up and took myself to Spotlight. There was plenty of choice there but it's not the same; this is an example of the disruption that has come to our quakey city.
I saw in the Press that the New Nurses Home is to be demolished. Unbelievable. In those far off days when I was a student nurse I started aged 17 years at a grand old house on Ensors Road, Opawa, moved from there to Burwood Nurses Home, stepped up further and moved into the city into the Old Nurses Home and eventually was senior enough to graduate to the lower floors of the New Nurses Home. As the years went by I went up to the 4th floor eventually to room 426 and it became my home.
Such stories I could tell! All of our class lived on the same floor, we were all close friends, life was great when lived together in this way.
Some of the girls smoked. Anna was one of them. She heard that the Home Sister, Sister Brathwaite, 'Poppy', was doing a room inspection so a quick tidy up and a whip around with the mop and all was good.
Later when she was walking past the broom cupboard she saw smoke coming out from under the door. Quick thinking she grabbed the mop, which had last been used to clean her floor, and thrust it under the cold tap in the bathroom.
When Anna reported the fire (following the 'wash your hands and tell Sister' rule) she became a hero to the hierarchy. She was to write a letter of her exploit and would later receive a reward for putting the fire out. No-one asked how it had started!
In the lounge we were all making suggestions as to what NOT to put in the letter and Anna was asking over the noise "Shall I write it to Poppy? Shall I write it to Poppy?" when in comes Poppy.
"No nurse" she said, "don't write it to me write it to the Board."
Hushed silence as it dawned on us that she knew her nick name!
Ah, things were so much more formal in those days.
Dear Poppy, she lent me money to go home on the Sunday morning Mum died, one could only get money from a bank in business hours in those days. That was kind and I have never forgotten it. I guess Poppy will have gone to her reward by now because that was almost 50 years ago and she seemed old to me at that time ~ but then I was only 19!
We polished our shoes and lined the path as Margaret's coffin was carried by. She should have graduated with us a few weeks later but was shot on the night of the ball.
Always called the New Nurses Home, I wonder how old the Old Nurses Home was because the new one was built in 1932!
Ginette was visiting the hospital last week and saw a ball and chain demolishing the New Nurses Home! How can it be, such a place packed with so many memories ending so ignominiously!
The city council are starting a campaign to lift the hearts of the people of Christchurch to a happier place.
As I said, let the campaign begin because I think we need it.
These figures became personal when I looked for my favourite shop to buy wool. I drove around the streets looking for an entrance to Peterborough Street, I want the best choice available to get some grey wool for an Aaron style jersey for Grandson Reuben. Eventually I gave up and took myself to Spotlight. There was plenty of choice there but it's not the same; this is an example of the disruption that has come to our quakey city.
I saw in the Press that the New Nurses Home is to be demolished. Unbelievable. In those far off days when I was a student nurse I started aged 17 years at a grand old house on Ensors Road, Opawa, moved from there to Burwood Nurses Home, stepped up further and moved into the city into the Old Nurses Home and eventually was senior enough to graduate to the lower floors of the New Nurses Home. As the years went by I went up to the 4th floor eventually to room 426 and it became my home.
Such stories I could tell! All of our class lived on the same floor, we were all close friends, life was great when lived together in this way.
Some of the girls smoked. Anna was one of them. She heard that the Home Sister, Sister Brathwaite, 'Poppy', was doing a room inspection so a quick tidy up and a whip around with the mop and all was good.
Later when she was walking past the broom cupboard she saw smoke coming out from under the door. Quick thinking she grabbed the mop, which had last been used to clean her floor, and thrust it under the cold tap in the bathroom.
When Anna reported the fire (following the 'wash your hands and tell Sister' rule) she became a hero to the hierarchy. She was to write a letter of her exploit and would later receive a reward for putting the fire out. No-one asked how it had started!
In the lounge we were all making suggestions as to what NOT to put in the letter and Anna was asking over the noise "Shall I write it to Poppy? Shall I write it to Poppy?" when in comes Poppy.
"No nurse" she said, "don't write it to me write it to the Board."
Hushed silence as it dawned on us that she knew her nick name!
Ah, things were so much more formal in those days.
Dear Poppy, she lent me money to go home on the Sunday morning Mum died, one could only get money from a bank in business hours in those days. That was kind and I have never forgotten it. I guess Poppy will have gone to her reward by now because that was almost 50 years ago and she seemed old to me at that time ~ but then I was only 19!
We polished our shoes and lined the path as Margaret's coffin was carried by. She should have graduated with us a few weeks later but was shot on the night of the ball.
Always called the New Nurses Home, I wonder how old the Old Nurses Home was because the new one was built in 1932!
Ginette was visiting the hospital last week and saw a ball and chain demolishing the New Nurses Home! How can it be, such a place packed with so many memories ending so ignominiously!
The city council are starting a campaign to lift the hearts of the people of Christchurch to a happier place.
As I said, let the campaign begin because I think we need it.
posted by ElizabethB | 5:09 PM
13 Comments:
Hello, I just found your blog via Deb's blog. Thinking of you all in Christchurch, and I hope the council's campaign does something to lift your spirits, it must be so hard for you to hear of all the buildings being demolished. From Megan in Tauranga
Hi, found you through your amazing daughter, Deb whose blog I have enjoyed for some time now. I can only imagine how difficult all this must be for you-having everything changed so suddenly, and still dealing with aftershocks! I enjoyed reading about the New Nurses Home! I hope this campaign lifts every spirit in Christchurch! Blessed Be!
Hello :) another friend of Deb's here. What a powerful post I didn't want it to end!!! My mother in law also called that nursing house a home some years ago. We walked passed it together a few weeks ago while she told me it was coming down. I snapped a few pictures.
How funny that story of Anna is!! :)
I found you through Deb as well, it's hard going around Christchurch now and seeing all the empty spaces. It's amazing how quickly you forget what was in those spaces too! Regarding Knitworld, it's a pain to get to now, but from Bealy Ave go down Manchester and turn left into Peterborough; the entrance to the store is now at the back. I have to go a lot further to get to it now :(
Goodmorning, have popped over from your daughters blog. What a lovely read, hkw sad to be loosing all that history. We are still thinking of you all
I am here from your daughter's blog. My heart is heavy and aches for all of you in Christchurch. I honestly can't imagine how you stay so strong. Thanks for the post. (((hug)))
Absolutely loved your blog Mum...that story about Anna made me and Simona laugh our heads off. BRILLIANT.
And here's yet another of Debs' friends come to visit.
Thank you for sharing your stories. These kinds of memories are all the more important in Christchurch at the moment. They need to be savoured and enjoyed. It is a part of Christchurch's rich social history which we cannot forget.
These are the stories that need to be told and remembered. Buildings become so much more than bricks and motar when we hear the echoes of the stories, laughter, lives that went on within them. Thanks for sharing this story. I have the pleasure of calling your delightful Deb my friend.
Have come via your amazing daughter Deb's blog - thank you for sharing your heart felt story -
I recently visited Christchurch, my grandparents home town and was saddened devastated to see so many of my childhood memories gone.
The Christchurch I knew and loved I will never be able to share with my children.
Christchurch you are continually in my heart xxx
Oooh now this sounds like a blog I will enjoy especially if you keep filling it with those lovely old stories from days gone by! I wish I had a a grandmother around so I could just sit at her feet, learn how she knits and listen to her stories! Oh and if there is a specific brand of wool you would like just let Deb know and I can get it for my online shop :)
I am so sorry for the losses you all are experiences. It is especially hard to lose places of good memories. I hope the rebuilting will be quick and in a manner that saves the character of your area.
My heart is so heavy for you and so many others who are working through this very difficult time. I am deeply sorry for your loss (es). My heart and prayers are with you.
Sincerely, Trish
ps. I am here via Deb. :o)
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