James Paget at 40: Memories of fitting out the new hospital

Many local companies were involved in this phase of building the new hospital - companies such as W Bentley Joinery Ltd, of Gorleston.

Bill Bentley recalls being asked to quote for various projects in the then unfinished hospital - and was successful.

His company were involved in altering furniture in the residences and then, in the main hospital building, suppling and installing various purpose-made joinery items over services years, such as screens, door and reception counters.

“The screens to what was the bank, the pharmacy and several consulting rooms are still in use to this day,” said Bill.

“Looking back, I always considered that we were one of the first outside contractors to have worked at the hospital, even before it opened.”

Also involved in the fitting out was Brian Youngman, who worked as a carpenter for local building firm RG Carter, which delivered the first phase of the hospital’s construction.

Brian Youngman loves his time at the James Paget Hospital (Image: JPUH)

Brian is pictured in 1980, fitting out part of the hospital’s front foyer, helping create the old WRVS store stock room. After the completion of the first phase, Brian became part of the joinery team, employed by Morgan Sindall, who were the main contractors for the second phase of building work. And then, when the hospital was complete, he joined the Paget’s Works Department, staying at the hospital until he retired in 2008.

“When I joined the team, I thought that I wouldn’t be there long and would go back off site - but I loved it so much, I just stayed,” he said.

One of his first jobs on the Paget team was to create a wooden Japanese-style bridge as part of a project to theme the hospital’s courtyards.

The bridge no longer exists but its completion was much-celebrated by the staff at the hospital, so much so that the team in the catering department presented Brian with a cake, complete with a model of the bridge created in icing.

In another courtyard, Brian created a memorial bench to Karen Rudd, a medical secretary who died tragically young at the age of 28. The bench is still used by staff during the summer, when on their breaks.

During his 23 years at the hospital, he became involved in many projects including a full revamp of the theatres complex in the 1990s and creating signage for wards and departments across the site. He also had a spell as a technician with the occupational therapists, helping fit ramps and stair rails in patients’ homes.

And he has many memories, of fund-raising events on site at weekends, including the annual fete, Christmas celebrations on the wards - and his own celebration in March 1987, when he and wife Valerie held their wedding reception at the Burrage Centre - the first couple to do so.

Brian Youngman with the hospital's Making Waves magazine (Image: JPUH)

Brian still treasures his photographs of his time at the Paget - as well as an edition of the quarterly staff magazine Making Waves, which features a story and photograph about him presenting a cheque to the Audiology department in his role as chair of the local branch of the Manchester Unity of the Independent Order of Oddfellows.