Cainscross WI: Stroud’s First Doctor with Mr Barry Harrison of Stroud History Society

NUMBERS were a bit down for our early February meeting with apologies received from Pam Clapp, who is sadly in hospital, so we wish her a speedy recovery.

Also apologies from Patsy, Pam Elliott and Tina Hewgill.

However, we did welcome one visitor, who we hope may visit us again.

We thanked Margaret Adams for her table decoration of a pretty pale blue Campanula flowering plant.

We have decided that a pretty houseplant may be brought for a table decoration, if flowers are not plentiful in the garden, and Georgie Hall has volunteered to add her name to the Flower Rota, for which we thank her.

Linda updated us on the financial situation and we discussed some correspondence, including the Annual Council Meeting which takes place in March to which Rowena Eccles hopes to attend on our behalf.

We have our Special 90th Birthday Celebration Party in July to look forward and also some members are visiting Giffords Circus at Frampton, followed by a supper, in August, so it will be a busy year.

After the business we settled back for a return visit by Mr Barry Harrison of Stroud History Society and his talk on Stroud’s First Doctor, or to be more precise ‘Surgeon’ as of course most medical men were circa 17/1800.

Thomas Hughes (1742-1813) was an Apothecary/chemist/surgeon who at the same time kept very detailed weather records.

He was paid £30 per year, as opposed to a teacher’s salary of £15 per year, but was prepared to be paid less than this if necessary.

In 1783 more than 500 patients a year were receiving free medical treatment.

In 1800 he bought Hazel Mill along the Slad Road and is buried in St Laurence Church, Stroud.

We then enjoyed tea/coffee and some homemade cakes and sweets made by members. The raffle was called and the winners of the monthly competition announced as:-

First - Val Dalby

Second - Mandy Sutton

Third - Mary Jarrett

March’s meeting will fall on Tuesday, March 1, as usual to start at 7.15pm in St Matthew’s Church Hall, when we will welcome Mrs Helen Royall and her talk on ‘Transition Stroud’.

The competition will be for ‘A picture of Stroud district’.

Visitors and new members are always welcome so I hope to see you there.