Never Argue with a Matron

Never Argue With a Matro: A Conversation with Mary Sandilands

Mary will be talking about her long varied career and adventures in nursing. This is the account of a very ordinary woman who, during a 38-year career in nursing had many exciting and far-from ordinary adventures. Nursing was not always easy, as evidenced in various episodes, not least, during training, visits to matron with broken thermometers and later, stressful times when newly qualified, and during midwifery. There were exciting months as a Nursing Sister on board the P&O liner 'Oriana' followed by a few years as a domiciliary midwife in Liverpool, culminating in nineteen years serving in Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps.

They include the tale of a Christian Dior necklace, one of owning a rowing boat while a pupil midwife in Plymouth, and world exploration with the Merchant Navy. QA Postings included Hong Kong, Nepal, Germany and Cyprus, the latter working with the Royal Air Force at Princess Mary's RAF Hospital, Akrotiri. Several flights were great privileges, one in a Shackleton, one with the Red Arrows, one in a Lightning, and one in a helicopter, having been winched up from the deck of a Landing Craft at sea.

Join us online on Tuesday 18th 1.30pm as part of our Book Club. The conversation will continue with tea and cakes and a book signing in the Dining Room starting at 2pm.

Once again we will be distributing 400 copies of the Book Week Scotland book which deals with the theme of Friendship this year.

Please contact the event organiser for booking information.