Thursday the 7 December 1905, was a day to remember for the people of Rotherham. Few more important and interesting ceremonies have been performed in the town during recent years compared to this one. The opening of the new hospital had gathered the interest of the young and old alike. Several medical men from neighbouring authorities remarked on the impressive look of the well equipped wards, the building itself was splendid value for money and regarded at the time as extremely cheap. The credit for this went to the Architect, Mr. J. Platts, who's office on the High Street in Rotherham had kept within the estimated cost. At present the sum of only £17,627 had been expended, but there remained a mild scarlet fever block to be built. As the whistling wind blew, people leisurely walked around the buildings for some time. Doubtless the members of the Corporation felt proud of their achievements as they viewed the buildings. They took pride in the fact that their efforts had been given public approval and would greatly improve the health of the people of Rotherham.
After time was given to view the buildings everyone was gathered for the Mayor’s speech. The large crowd stood in their best Sunday clothes with the ladies in their long Victorian dresses covered by heavy winter coats which were often trimmed with fur collars. Their large picture hats in the styles of the time would give the perfect outfit for any lady on such a fine occasion. The bearded or moustached gentlemen, stood proudly in their black top hats and thickest winter coats.
The Mayor of Rotherham, Colonel Charles
John Stoddart J.P, was well received by the crowd. A tall stocky man with a round face and
thick greying hair, he stood very upright with an air of importance. His Mayor’s
heavy mayoral chain hung with precision on his dark winter coat. The Mayor wanted to say a
few words before using the key to open the new hospital. He started with history of the
old Badsley Moor Lane Hospital, explaining that there were no greeting crowd the day he
opened that hospital back in 1887. Continuing, he explained these present buildings were a
sanitary requirement, then went on to explain the costing of this new and splendid
building. The cost of the building would be something like £20,000, and maintaining them
would be £1600 per year. That added to the rates something like 3½ d in the pound, but
the hospital was a necessity. He continued that the hospital had been pushed by the
Corporation with the enthusiastic Medical Officer, Dr. Robinson. He was very persuasive
and would not leave the Corporation alone until the buildings were erected. Uninterrupted
he carried on his lengthy speech before proceeding to open the hospital.
Mr. J. Platts the architect presented the Mayor with a large handsome key. As the watching crowed looked on, the Mayor formally opened the building. Ald. George Wragg who had laid the first stone went on to ask for a vote of thanks for the Mayor and congratulated the chairman of the health committee on the completion of these beautiful buildings, which was erected for the poor, and sick all of whom required special attention. During his short but well-spoken speech, he said “Now they were living in better times, they often heard people call the Corporation for the excessive rates they were called upon to pay. They saw how the money had been spent, and it was money spent well.” After Councillor T. W. Grundy’s speech on infantile mortality, and a further short speech by the Mayor again, the councillors and officials gathered and had their photos taken, before an inspection of the building were made.
With the ceremony over, the company adjourned to the Town Hall Assembly Rooms, where lunch was taken with the thanks of the Mayor. The three course meal was enjoyed by all, before Dr. Robinson and others went on to make their toast and speeches. Dr. Robinson began his speech also started, in the theme of the years gone by. He explained that during the past few years every recommendation he had made had been carried out. He, like other speakers, thanked the Mayor and Corporation in the opening of the new hospital. Speeches continued throughout the afternoon where the speaker entertained the audience. To commemorate the day the Mayor Colonel Stoddart was presented with a silver gilded key and enamelled in the heraldic colours of the Borough. It was supplied by Mr. John Mason, a jeweller of the town. On the opening of the new hospital, the temporary hospitals were closed dismantled and then sent to Kimberworth in which they were later used as a temporary smallpox hospital. (This hospital was situated were Abbey School is at present.)
© Neil and Janet Croft 2005