THE Keighley and District Victoria Hospital had been founded in 1876 as a cottage hospital, occupying a rented house in a “salubrious position” up Highfield Lane.
It had eight beds, a matron with a girl to help her, and was run by a management committee of three ladies, with local doctors attending, as required.
The cottage hospital relied on voluntary contributions from “patients and friends”. Funds were raised through balls and bazaars, fines on unpunctual workers, church and chapel collections and, most spectacularly, proceeds from the Friendly Societies’ annual galas.
Extended to accommodate 40 beds in 1894, it was named after the late Queen in 1904 on the opening of a further wing. It had reached the impressive proportions seen here by the early 20th century.
Prior to 1948 and the National Health Service, this was “a voluntary hospital governed by its own board”. Crucial for its upkeep was a Workpeople’s Collection Committee formed in 1907, which organised contributions from factories, shops and offices. A ‘Twopence per Week Contributory Scheme’ was launched in 1934. The photo is from Kevin Seaton.
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