EDITORIAL COMMENT

Apropos the oft-repeated statement, "I'd write a letter to 'The Standard', but it wouldn't get printed"; we can't remember when a letter was last refused publication.

The underlying reason for such an opinion appears to be that the individual considers his or her ideas too shocking to appear in print (but usually not too shocking to be expressed verbally up and down the hospital!)

Which brings us to another 'Standard' complaint - "the magazine is used for criticism too much by far."

All of which tends to leave us slightly confused. Surely if people are not content with the status quo, it is better if criticism can be expressed in a form in which it can be evaluated, i.e. the magazine? Or is it better, indeed, to let sleeping dogs lie?

For our part, we like the words of an epigram seen recently,

"Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself."

Social Therapy Review

The hours of work in training both our display teams was well rewarded on Thursday afternoon when excellent performances were given by both men and women. In case any of you were unable to attend, the men gave a P.E. and marching display and the women a country dance. Although-the-day started off cheerless and dull we were lucky to have fine weather for all the events and I feel confident in saying that everyone who participated thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Entertainment was again provided by the St. Philips Morris Dancing Troupe and the Liverpool Police Band who incidentally had great fun at tilting despite their soakings and would have beaten Social Therapy Staff in the tug-o-war except that two of their heftiest policemen came to our rescue at the 11th hour.

On Sunday the charity football match against the Swan took place despite the pouring rain. It was an overwhelming victory for our lads the score being 9 - 0. The losers had to dig deep to pay the forfeit of 25p per player. At half-time the ladies 5-a-side teams took to the field for their match; which was won by the Swan 3 - 2.

Speaking from a player's point of view, it was most enjoyable and only wish it had gone on longer than the 10 minutes each way. After the matches both our teams were invited to the Swan for refreshment and a drink. All proceeds from the afternoon will go to the League of Friends.

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There were no staff or patients matches this week because of the Sports.

K. Appleton

Domestic Administrators Meet

On Tuesday 13th June, 1972 a meeting of the Hospital Domestic Administration Association was held at Winwick Hospital.

Forty members from Liverpool and Manchester Regions attended.

Mr. G. G. Perkins Esq., B.E.M., Chairman of the National Committee of the H.D.A.A. addressed the meeting. Mr. E. Fox, Group Secretary, Warrington Hospital Management Committee also spoke at the meeting.

This is the first time the H.D.A.A. have held a meeting at Winwick Hospital. Forty members attended.

All members expressed appreciation of the arrangements made and the hospitality extended and the high standards of Winwick Hospital as viewed on this their first visit.

J. H. Bartholomew

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Sports Day, 1972

Despite the fact that the weather was not typical of 'blazing June' in my opinion this year's Sports Day was one of the most enjoyable I have attended at Winwick.

With everyone looking very 'dressed for the occasion" (coloured shirts look so attractive) it was obvious that the large variety of attractions were enjoyed and appreciated.

The atmosphere, not only of the day itself, but also of the many hours of preparation, can surely be used as an example of the much used phrase - team work - The success of last week's venture followed participation and involvement by all grades of staff, professional barriers being broken by the determination to make Sports Day '72 a day to be remembered.

Can I say a personal thank you to everyone for all the help and co-operation that was so willingly given.

By next week all the frantic accounting that is taking place will be completed and it is hoped to publish the amount raised for the Swimming Pool Fund.

N. Coppack.

Staff Sports

The 17th Inter-Hospital Regional Sports meeting took place here on Saturday last.

Winners were West Cheshire Hospital, with the Blood Transfusion Service in second place.

Owing to an internal dispute, Winwick was represented by only two competitors, who between them scored 9 points.

Prizes were presented by Mr. K. C. White, Group Secretary, West Cheshire H.M.C..

Publications Committee

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What a disappointment Winwick Hospital Staff Sports Day was on Saturday, 17th June, 1972. I have spoken to quite a number of entrants and a few spectators, each and every one of then agreed that there was no atmosphere or competition due to the withdrawal of the Winwick Team. Many of the spectators left the grounds long before the final stages of the closing events, and those who stayed showed very little or no enthusiasm. At times one got the impression that there appeared to be more officials and judges than there were participants on the field. Whatever the causes for the withdrawal of the staff team, this farcical and sorry state of affairs must never be allowed to happen again, and everything possible must be done to remove this blot from the reputation of the Winwick Hospital Athletic Section which is held high in esteem throughout the Liverpool Hospital Region.

L. Bayliss.

I'm very glad
    My Dad
         Taught me not to be a "Sport"
         In what circumstance I ought
            To parry or to thrust,
               What I must
                   Do when on a sticky wicket,
       That certain actions were not cricket -
But conveyed games were for fun
To be enjoyed - not to be won.
And never said "Below the belt"
  But quite precisely what he felt
   And hoped in me he could instil............

Do nobody any ill.
Never let a colleague down.
Work as though you wear a crown
(This you can do if you work
 Your best,. your duty do not shirk,
 Weave not a tangled web of lies).
Listen to another's cries
Of woe, in yours keep up your chin.
Finish off what you begin.
Tell and hear no tittle-tattle.
For any's favours do not battle.
Further than your grasp you reach.
Mix with people who can teach
You what is good and true.
Remember, if you can, that you
Are but cog in massive wheel
Turn it for the common weal.

C. Naisby.

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Rice Pudding - a Saga in lament vein

Have I a problem - early laid?
I like rice pudding - properly made
In moderation, certain days a week.
In substitute for tarts and pies,
Contents of which oft give surprise,
Our institutional rice deserves critique.
 
The skin is good - I like a nibble,
But innards often raise a quibble
For inconsistency of constitution.
Sometimes rice grains in short supply,
With milk in plenty flowing high,
Not like a pud - more "rice solution".
 
At other times, the milk is rare,
For solid rice I do not care,
Admiring all things in strict moderation.
Although not quite a connoisseur,
Some colleagues, my rice pud tastes share,
Expressing rice pud love and consternation.
 
I wonder if the cooks rotate
Experience to accumulate
And take a while to reach the ideal skill.
I wonder if the milk is dropped,
Or rice fields very lightly cropped,
Or specialist pudding supervisors ill.
 
It could relieve a hungry sadness
Or perhaps rice pud fanatic madness
To learn the methods of rice pudding baking.
Is sex of cook or yield of cow,
Or rice disease or kitchen row,
The reason for the inconsistent making?

D. E. Wallace.

Would contributors please state if poems are intended for the poetry competition, or for publication in The Standard.

Publications Committee.

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Up and Away

In the realm of holidays our staff seem to be becoming more and more adventuresome. Spain and the Med are in danger of becoming old hat. Last year we printed an account of a holiday in Australia, by C. Kirchin and now we hear that L. Higgins (F. 2 Down) is flying to Canada shortly for a month's holiday with her son. We'd like to hear of any other unusual holidays planned for this year, and we don't mean Argate.

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Letter to the Editors:

Books without Covers

(Or am I a prude?)

Please tell me if am prudish. I do not believe I am, but I do think I have an above average moral standing.

I am on night duty, and when I take my break or there is a lull in the work, I like nothing better than to read a good novel (who doesn't).

Imagine my delight when, on coming on duty found many of the wards I visited had been supplied with new books, minus covers.

I thought they looked quite tame, noting some of the names, e.g. Westward to Laughter, The Ragionamenti, The Collection, to name a few. Flicking through a few pages of the first book, to see if it was suitable, I thought "too straight-laced, no action or adventure". So to the second: "Oh, dear! What have we here?" To number three "Dare I read this?" Number four "Not some more?" I never thought I would see the day when porn would adorn our ward bookshelves.

Whilst I am not completely against pornographic literature, I must admit that I never expected to find it here.

What I should like to know is - who supplied these books and where did they come from? Can we expect more of the same?

K. A. Bryan,
Night Staff.

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Recently one of the Publications Committee was approached by a member of staff who had a particular complaint to make about 'The Standard'.

"Why is it," they said, "that when ___________ was off sick for some time, no mention was made of it in the magazine? When it's one of your own people, their names always goes in."

It was explained that, as we rely for the most part on 'the grapevine', we can only insert items of information which come to our ears via members of the staff. (A welcome exception is the Nursing Clerical Office), until our means of gleaning news becomes more sophisticated, can we emphasize that we do rely on you for news of note.

Publications Committee

The winner of F. 9 Up raffle was Terry Sullivan, the prize was a cake, and Terry kindly donated the cake to the ward to be raffled again.

Publications Committee.

Efforts of Unit 7 Fund Raising for Swimming Pool

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the staff of unit 7 and everyone else who contributed so freely to our project which was successful in every way. £43 being raised and donated to the Swimming Pool Fund.

A food parcel and a parcel containing fruit were won by the Mayoress of Warrington and Mr. Silcock were given back to be raffled again raising a further £14.59 which in turn was donated to the swimming pool fund.

I would also like to take this opportunity of thanking Councillor Bernard Eaves, Chairman of Warrington H.M.C. for carrying out the difficult task of drawing the winning tickets.

The results of the raffle were as follows:-

Food Parcels

1st Prize Mr. Silcock Ticket No 126 Green
2nd Prize Mayoress of Warrington No. 107 Green
3rd Prize Myra Blyton No. 113 White

Sweets and Chocolates

E. Redmond F. 4 Up Ticket No. 25 blue
Doll - Sally Ann 4 months - Mrs. McLey, Orford.

My thanks once again to all concerned in making Sports Day at Winwick for our unit a very successful day.

Sheila Barr

P.S. The remains of jewellery, clothing, etc. have been donated to Social Therapy for their Bazaar in November.

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Nursing News

Once again four of our patients are spending one week's holiday in Blackpool as the guests of Mrs. J. Prescott. The patients - two ladies and two gentlemen travelled unaccompanied on public transport.

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Sister W. Terry was invited to attend a day conference on Violence at the hospital centre last Monday. No doubt she will be telling us about this at a later date.

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A party of school children from Ashton-in-Makerfield Secondary Modern School visited the hospital on Tuesday 20th June.

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Eleven third year Student Nurses from the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary will be spending the day with us on Friday 23rd June.

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Our best wishes are extended to Mr. J. Martland S.E.N. who is retiring on Sunday 25.6.72 after fourteen years service. We are pleased however that Mr. Martland will be able to undertake some part-time nursing duties with us.

Welcome to:

	Mrs. E. Cawthron	S.E.N. (Gen)
	Mr. J. Fisher	N/A

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We were deeply sorry to hear of the recent death of Eric Puzzar, who was a member of our nursing staff for 33 years, retiring five years ago. Our condolences go to his wife, Sister Jean Puzzar.

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