The Passing Hour is the magazine which was produced by the Stirling District Asylum (now part of the Bellsdyke Hospital site in Larbert) and sent out to subscribers from 1901 to 1917 as a way of sharing what life was like at the Asylum.
From the magazine, we know that the Asylum had a full sporting calendar – from cricket and bowling clubs, which played all summer, to football and the odd billiards tournament during the winter months. However, it seems that cricket was by far the most popular sport amongst staff and patients.
Stirling District Asylum was not the only hospital site in Forth Valley with a strong sporting history – did you know there was a very active Nurses’ Tennis Club at the former Stirling Royal Infirmary? The Health and Corporate Records office have a very fine silver trophy dating back to 1929. Amongst the recipients were the following nursing staff:
- Jean Anderson – who won the trophy in 1929, 1930 and 1931
- M.A. McRoberts – won in 1932
- M. D. Sinclair – won in 1937
- J. Taylor – won in 1938
The Trophy was made in Birmingham by Charles S. Green & Co in 1929.
Do you know any of these illustrious winners? If so, please contact Amy Cawood, Corporate Records Manager with your stories and any other memories, archive material and photos you would like to share.
Text and photos courtesy of the NHS Archivist, University of Stirling Archives
