Christmas in Stannington Sanatorium

 Many of the children in Stannington Sanatorium were patients there for many years and would have spent several Christmases in the sanatorium away from their families.  However, by all accounts great efforts were made by the staff and the local people to ensure that the children had an enjoyable time and didn’t miss out on the Christmas spirit.  A report from the Morpeth Herald and Reporter of 1916 recounts the occasion as such:

A most enjoyable time was spent by the children at Stannington Sanatorium during the festive season.  The rooms were gaily decorated for the occasion.  On Christmas morning each child had his or her stocking well filled with toys and other suitable gifts.  Special fare was provided.

We find similar accounts of Christmas in Stannington year after year throughout its operation.  In1931 one of the children even described Christmas in her own words in the Sanatorium’s in-house children’s magazine. (see below)  The magazine was created by the children themselves and contains many accounts of life in Stannington as well as some of the children’s own stories and poems.   

Merry Christmas!