Matron Marjorie Bell MBE - Lewisham Hospital

[LewishamArtist]

Hello Everyone,
I never really explained what I do as an artist in Resident at the hospital. I was invited by the Arts Committee to engage with the staff, patients and visitors of the hospital and then make a piece of work as response to my experience. It was a bit of a tall order to do in 20 days allotted....  but that is of course another story.

Thank you all so very much for your stories about the Matron Bell, they have really helped to make her a more rounded figure in my mind and hopefully the work which, is being launched tomorrow night. The finished pieces are based around Matron Bell -a bit of a challenge as there was surprisingly little information in the archives apart from a few pictures most of which are not captioned and hardly anyone I encountered knew anything about her. Shame as she had dedicated her whole life to nursing and a great deal of that at Lewisham.

If you would like to see some of the things I did during the residency please look at the blog:
http://residencyartist2008.blogspot.com/

I will post the final images over the weekend and the installation when it is complete. They are still building the link between the Outpatients Dept and Riverside.

There is more information about me and my practice at the following website: http://www.joygregory.co.uk

Joy

PS: Does anyone know when Matron Bell retired and what she did next?? Please help....
Many thanks

[skooper]

Hi,found your site whilst looking for a relative georgina graham,she shared a house with "aunty margorie"yes matron bell!The last time I saw them was about 1973.I recall they had a blue ford escort H reg with about 8000 mls on the clock.Both used to visit and stay  with my parents and nan in cardiff in  the late 50s early 60s.Georgina (aunty joy) was highly qualified in nursing circles and used to come to cardiff and newport to take examination boards.They always seem to arrive in the spring and I always had to travel with them to llantwit major to collect wild primrose plants.The journey from london must have been an epic in an austin a30 called cando!I remember margorie as a small quiet lady with a large mole on her face(facinating if you are 6 or 7).I cant be sure but I believe they moved to lincolnshire sometime in the 70s.Any help please?

[Brenda]

Wow, how amazing to read of Matron's private life!  Dig deep in your memory Skooper, we want to hear more.  I can remember when a very young nurse, seeing one of the ward sisters out with a fellow.  It hadn't dawned me before that they were actually quite human!  It gave me a new perspective on them  - particularly those with a tyrannical bent.

Bren

[Brenda]

Just had a look at your blog and website, Lewisham Artist (can't we call you 'Joy' now?)
Most interesting and I will revisit.  But hey everyone, when did the wards take names instead of e.g. A3 and E1 and all that? 

Bren

[Brenda]

I have an old nursing friend with me at present.  I've asked her for anecdotes about Matron Bell but all she remembers, so far, is being 'told off' by Matron Bell but can't remember for what.  A mutual acquaintance, also a nursing student, was carpeted by Matron Bell for wearing eye makeup.  Doesn't it seem daft now?  I was always being ticked off (not by Matron but by ward sisters and Deputy Matron) for wearing my hair too high so my cap sat on the back of my head instead of the front.  Also got ticked off for shortening my uniform. 

Bren

[skooper]

I,ve spent a time digging deep and am afraid not alot left!they both smoked cravenA ciggies were very fond of reading margorie soppy stuff as nan would say and joy always something intellectual.memories of very thick stockings and brown brogue shoes for rambles.Mother was joys cousin and margorie said she had a detrimental effect on her encouraging the use of makeup whenever they stayed.Nan was very fond of margorie and kept a comprehensive scrapbook of both their achievements,she had a magazine with a full page colour photo and several pages of text from when she was awarded the MBE,cant remember the mag but it must be out there somewhere.I assume that m and j met in the 50s,due to the similar work backgrounds.They both were very good cooks.they must have been to Spain on holiday because one time when they stayed they spent all day with mum in the kitchen making paella mother liked a sherry and i remember joy not making the meal as she had a "headache " as marjorie said .She was non too pleased and hardly spoke to mum for the  next couple of days!When nan died ,mum had all her "stuff"and  I assume that my sister has it now.Would the mag be Woman's Weekly?No recollections of auntie joy from anyone.Skooper

[Brenda]

Wow, that's marvellous, Skooper. Fancy Matron smoking Craven A!  Lewisham Artist must be thrilled with all this info.  Do hope you can find some of the mementoes in the family archives.

Bren