Closure of Hartley Hospital after 62 years

It’s back in time to 1977 this week with an excellent scene captured at Colne’s Hartley Hospital as staff nurse Jackie Atkinson cuts a special cake, presented by the Colne Lions, for the hospital’s men’s ward.
A CELEBRATION: The Colne Lions in 1977. (S)A CELEBRATION: The Colne Lions in 1977. (S)
A CELEBRATION: The Colne Lions in 1977. (S)

Sadly, today the Colne Lions are no more, just as Hartley Hospital, which tragically closed in 1986 after 62 glorious years.

The august Colne Lions did many sterling deeds over the years and two of its long-serving stalwarts Roy Driver (fourth left) and Donald Moss (far right) are seen here.

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Staff nurse Jackie (centre) commenced her nursing career at Reedley School of Nursing in the 1950s.

And on passing out with flying colours at the much-loved Reedyford Hospital, she also later worked at the equally loved Hartley Hospital.

Staff nurse Jackie also worked locally at Calderstones before moving to hospitals in Wales, and today, now happily retired back in bonnie Colne, recalls her National Health Service years with great affection, albeit being somewhat sad at the decline of our once envy of the world, the truly caring for all NHS.

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