Publish date: 9 May 2024
North East hospital preserves rocking horse donated by patient over 40 years ago
Berwick Infirmary, part of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is preserving a rocking horse that was donated over 40 years ago.
Since the 1970s, the Minor Injuries Unit at Berwick Infirmary has had a functioning rocking horse in its waiting room that was donated by My Bryson, from Berwick, after he had been speaking to a nurse that worked at the hospital.
Over time it became famous to those living in the area and families who needed to visit the minor injuries unit would seek it out to keep their children entertained. It was a toy that most people wouldn’t have had in their homes.
The grand rocking horse was carved from wood and was fully functional. Mr Bryson would regularly come to refurbish it, including replacing the horse’s hair, to ensure that it would remain in a good condition so it could continue to be played with.
Unfortunately, when COVID hit, it was removed from the department and hasn’t been displayed since.
As it has played a part in the history of Berwick Infirmary, the decision was made to create a glass casing for it to be displayed again after the construction of the new hospital is complete.
Anna Wood, modern matron at Berwick Infirmary and Berwick resident said: “Most of the staff today will have memories of either their children playing with the rocking horse or playing with it themselves when they were younger. I can remember times when I needed to bring my children in, and they would play with it as we were waiting.
“It really is a shame that it can no longer be used the way it was before COVID but creating a new display for it will allow everyone’s memories to live on.”
Sue Gibson, ward manager said: "Seeing the joy that this has brought to children over the years has been wonderful. It would lift the spirits of patients in the waiting room, during a time of vulnerability.
“We might have a new building to move into but we’re bringing along the things that have provided the heart at Berwick Infirmary, and the rocking horse is one of them.”
Keep up to date with the construction of our new Berwick Hospital here.
Media contact
Louise Alexander, social media and digital assistant
Louise.Alexander@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk