Mary Ann Fulcher – School Headmistress

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There were many individuals that contributed to the successful running of Stannington Sanatorium and helped to make it the thriving institution that it was.  This week we will have a look at the role of one of these individuals, Mary Ann Fulcher, headmistress of the Sanatorium School.

 

Mary Ann Fulcher served as the headmistress of Stannington Sanatorium School for over 32 years from 1st February 1921 up to her retirement on 18th December 1953.  During her time as headmistress she presided over the school’s transition to state control and away from the management of the Poor Children’s Holiday Association following the passing of the National Health Act as well as witnessing the effects of WWII with the bombing of the sanatorium and its temporary relocation to Hexham.

 

In the annual report of 1938 Miss Fulcher details the work of the sanatorium school and the effect of illness upon the children:

‘Every other Friday a fresh group of children enters the Sanatorium School.  behind each lies a little tragedy; weeks of ill-health followed by a visit to a doctor, then another consultation, and finally a parting from the old, familiar, well-loved things to enter a strange new world, and in the midst of the newness and strangeness they meet with a school and they all know something about schools, even if it is not quite the same as those they have known.  About the school they are critical for they have a standard by which to judge.  This big fellow says firmly, “I have left school,” and infers that he has put away with such childish things.  The secondary school girl, until her health gave way, had had dreams of examination successes and is a little superior in her manner.  Ill-health seems to her such an unfair handicap, and she half resentfully wonders what this school has to offer her … 

Different in all, save that they are infected with tuberculosis, they come into the melting pot of school and it is the aim of the school, not so much to teach this fact or that, as it is to help all to face life with courage and to demonstrate that in spite of an early introduction to ill-health and suffering, the world is full of beauty and joy. …

The Sanatorium does not only attend to the children’s physical ills but adjusts their mental outlook … From time to time we hear of their achievements in the great outside world and are content.’ [HOSP/STAN/1/3/5]

 

Open Air School. Class II Writing Lesson. [HOSP/STAN/11/1/27]
Open Air School. Class II Writing Lesson. [HOSP/STAN/11/1/27]
As a school attached to a hospital the challenges met by Fulcher were much more varied than those faced by many other head teachers.  Looking through the school log books for the period (CES/243/2/1-2) we see that certain restrictions were placed on the children’s activities by the medical staff including insisting on outdoor teaching in good weather, strict periods of rest and the facilitating of summer sun treatment.  In addition children could be absent from school for long periods owing to illness and having to be confined to the sanatorium, although in later years teaching was also conducted on the wards.

 

Miss Fulcher’s work was recognised in the 1951 New Year’s Honours List when she was awarded an MBE for her service to the school.  In the same year the school inspector’s report, recorded in the log book, gives a glowing report of her work and reads as such:

‘The Head Mistress, who has almost completed her thirtieth year of devoted service to the school, has never allowed the isolation of the premises or the specialised character of her work to cut her off from the main stream of educational interests.  She shows close acquaintance with modern school practices & recent literature.  She is a capable organiser in a complex field, maintains a good sense of proportion, leads her staff well, & imbues them with her inflexible regard for good standards of work.  Her relations with the children are good, & she has equal regard for the needs of the youngest & the oldest.  Her personal integrity, courage & humanity are pillars of support to the school.’

NRO 10321-3 [MAG P4]
NRO 10321-3 – 14 year old boy’s account of schooling in the sanatorium, 1931

This Week in World War One, 28 May 1915

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Berwick Advertiser title 1915

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 28th MAY 1915

 

BERWICK’S EIGHTEEN HOLE GOLF

COURSE OPENED

 

Formal Handing Over of the New Nine Holes to Directors.

 

A large company of lady and gentlemen members with their friends assembled at the Golf House in the Magdalene Fields, Berwick, on Thursday afternoon to witness the opening of the new eighteen-hole golf course, and the handing over to the Directors of the Magdalene Fields Golf Company of the new nine holes. The Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs Thomas Wilson) were present, along with the Sheriff (Mr E. W. Stiles), the Chairman of the Magdalene Fields Company (Mr A. J. Dodds), and the Captain of the Club (Mr John Brough).

“For The Town’s Good.”

Mr Dodds, in accepting the new nine holes on behalf of the Company said :- On behalf of the Magdalene Fields Company I desire to take over this extended course which Mr Brough has

Magdalene Fields Golf Course, 20th Century Aerial photograph, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Magdalene Fields Golf Course, 20th Century Aerial photograph, Berwick-upon-Tweed

described to us, and in doing so I feel I must be getting a very venerable old man. (Laughter). The Club is the offspring of the Company, and the new eighteen hole course is the offspring of the Club, and we, as Directors stand in the position of being grandparents to  the new nine holes (laughter).

The fields were originally taken over from the Duke of Northumberland with special instructions that they were for the good of the town. The 18 holes have been carried out exactly in the same spirit and they are taken over in the spirit- for the good of the town. It is only for the members then to make it a huge success. Mr Brough has referred to to the question of the terrible war and perhaps we have some justification for holding this function this afternoon. We have 20 members actively serving in His Majesty’s Forces, and one has laid down his life. The course was laid for the good of the town and so our gathering today is of a public more than of a private nature and this is proved by the fact that it is patronised by the Mayor and Mayoress and our energetic Sheriff. I am glad to see with us an old member, and one who has taken a great interest in the extended course- I refer to Mr Thomas Carter, junior. (Applause) I have pleasure in declaring the course open. (Applause).

The captain said as a memento of the occasion he had pleasure in presenting to the Club a framed plan of the new course which had been excellently drawn up by Mr Carfrae of the Borough Surveyor’s office. (Applause.)

The company then adjourned to the first tee when Mr Dodds drove off the first ball, thereby beginning a mixed foursome competition (handicap stroke).

 

NORHAM DOCTOR FOR THE NAVY

 

We learn that Doctor John Paxton, Norham, has received an appointment as surgeon in the Royal Navy. Dr. Paxton left to take up his duties at Portsmouth on Wednesday. Dr. Paxton is the only son of Mrs Paxton, and the late Dr. John Paxton of Norham-on-Tweed. Dr. Paxton succeeded his father in practice at Norham, and he is also Medical Officer to the Rural District Council of Norham and Islandshires.

Berwick Advertiser 28 may 1915 Advert Berwick Cockles
Berwick Advertiser 28th May 1915 advert for Berwick Cockles

BELFORD

 

Promotion of a Local Soldier- The many friends of Col. Sergt. Sleath, civilian as well as military, will be pleased to hear of his promotion to the important rank of Staff Sergt. Major. he has just left for

Queen's South African Medal with three bars.
Queen’s South African Medal with three bars.

France to take up his duties on the Staff of the General officer in command of the Northern Territorial Division Base. A keen soldier, he has twice been  granted an extension having now served 25 years in the Army, 12 years as Col. Sergeant. he came to Belford seven years ago, as Instructor to “C” Company, 7th N.F., and during his term of years this Company has always held place as one of the most proficient of the Battalion, both in discipline and on parade. this alone shows his worth as an Instructor, especially considering the fact that this Company is recruited from a wide district, there being 30 outlying sections something like 10 or 12 miles from headquarters. On mobilisations he went with his Company to Tynemouth, and thence to Gosforth Park, where, chiefly through his influence, a large  percentage of his company volunteered for foreign service. Shortly after this he was transferred to the Notts and Derby Regiment at Chelmsford. Great disappointment was felt by the men of “C” Company when they learnt that he was not able to accompany them to the front. However, they may happen to stumble across him now, since he has gone out to the base. Needless to say they will all wish him luck on his well-deserved promotion. Staff Sergt. Major Sleath holds the South African Medal with three bars, as well as the Good Conduct Medal.

Genitourinary TB – Part 2

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Having looked at a case of genitourinary TB in a young male in our first post from 01/05/2015, part 2 will focus on a case of genitourinary TB in a young female.

 

Patient 83/1952 was 14 when she was admitted to Stannington from Newcastle General Hospital in May 1952 diagnosed with abdominal TB.  She had first presented with serious illness in November of 1951 with lassitude, loss of weight, loss of energy, and a chest x-ray showing a probable primary in the right lower zone and enlargement of the hilar glands.  Following three months bed rest an additional chest x-ray showed an improvement in the hilar glands and the disappearance of the primary focus and she was able to return to school.  However, it was only a month later that she began to complain of abdominal pains and her abdomen began to swell and loss of weight and appetite recurred.

 

On admission to Newcastle General Hospital the quantity of fluid in the abdomen began to increase rapidly and her temperature was often raised so treatment with streptomycin and PAS was begun.  She continued to receive the drug therapies when she was transferred to Stannington.  An examination of the abdomen on admission to Stannington read as such:

‘Abdomen distended and taut.  Ascites present.  No enlargement of liver.  Spleen not palpable.  No masses palpable (probably due in part to tautness).  Circumference = 32.5 inches.’

 

A continuation of the drug therapies throughout her stay at Stannington led to a marked improvement of her condition and she was eventually discharged as quiescent in March 1953.  At no point in her case notes do the medical staff suggest that there might be any signs of genitourinary TB and continue to describe her condition as abdominal TB.  However, the case was followed up by Doctors Miller and Taylor in the following years and published in a book of 1963, in which they describe the case:

“On examination she had pelvic masses clinically characteristic of bilateral tuberculous salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes).  Despite chemotherapy (streptomycin and PAS) and bed rest the pelvic swellings, especially on the left side, became larger.  A month after chemotherapy began they slowly regressed and in six months had disappeared.” [F.J.W. Miller, R.M.E. Seal, & M.D. Taylor, Case No. 114]

 

Later correspondence in her file from the Newcastle General Hospital dated from February 1963 indicates the lasting effect that this form of TB had on the patient.  The patient is by this point 25 and married and attending an Infertility Clinic at NGH.  The doctors there are requesting her medical history from Stannington in the hope that something within it might help to explain her current infertility.

 

Sources:

MILLER, F. J. W, SEAL, R. M. E, and TAYLOR, M. D. (1963) Tuberculosis in Children, J & A Churchill Ltd. p.558

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