NOSTALGIA: Fifty years ago, 1967

A demonstration of a height adjustable bed at Boston General Hospital in 1967. The bed had been made to a specification and design resulting from a study conducted by Kings Edward Fund for London in collaboration with the Arts Council.

One of the main features was the adjustable height range – from 14 inches to 32 inches.

A foot-operated hydraulic unit was used to vary the height.

The bed also tilted to provide a head or foot inclination of 12 degrees, had a self-locking dual purpose back-rest, a pull-out bed stripper, an extension for the tall patient, and drip-rod attachments.

It was being demonstrated at the General Hospital by manufacturers Messrs J. Nesbitt, Evans and Co Ltd.

It was being considered whether a number of the beds should be ordered for tests and to gain experience of their use, having in mind the equipment needs of the proposed new Boston Hospital.

Two Boston teenagers were looking ahead to their first wrestling bouts.

Paul Rudderham, 16, of London Road, and Ricky Wiseman, 15, of Cherry Walk, had been paired together as the Boston Stumpers for a tag match at Boston’s Old Drill Hall.

Paul, a pipe fitter, and Ricky, a pupil at Kitwood Boys’ School, hoped to turn professional in the sport.