Bicentenary of Napoleon's death - St Helena Government
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
May 2021
Editorial
Hi, welcome to the St Helena Ambassador! In this edition you can find out how we celebrated St Helena’s Day and how
we commemorated the bicentenary of Napoleon’s death. In recognition of International Nurses Day, we also feature
an article on the Health Service on St Helena through the years, including an interview with former nurse, Mrs May
Young.
If you’d like to contribute a story to the St Helena Ambassador or have any suggestions on what you’d like to see
included, please feel free to contact me on tel: 22470 or via email: jodie.s-constantine@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Jodie Scipio-Constantine (SHG Press Officer)
Bicentenary of Napoleon’s death
A
number of events to commemorate the
bicentenary of Napoleon’s death took place
between 5 and 9 May 2021.
On Wednesday, 5 May, mini wreaths/flower bouquets of
Everlasting flowers were laid on the Tomb’s slab on behalf
of overseas organisations and members of the public.
Later that afternoon the gardens at Longwood House were
opened and a ceremony took place which included a
two-minute silence, the playing of the Last Post and
various readings and pieces of music, half-masting of the
flag and the Telegraph signals announcing Napoleon’s
death.
A Mass of Remembrance was held at Longwood House on
Thursday, 6 May, for invited guests. The Eucharist, led by
Catholic Priest Father David Musgrave, was conducted in
mostly Latin and French and followed the same format as
services in the Napoleonic era.
On Sunday, 9 May, a ceremony, marking the bicentenary
of the Emperor’s burial took place at The Tomb and
included readings, various pieces of music and songs from
Island musicians and singers, a two-minute silence and
laying of the wreaths.
1
St Helena’s Day Celebrations
The traditional St Helena’s Day celebrations,
this year themed ‘celebrating cultural
diversity’, was held on the Grand Parade in
Jamestown on Friday, 21 May. The day began
with the traditional uniformed contingents
parade and service held outside of the Court
House, on the Grand Parade, which included
speeches from HE Governor, Dr Philip
Rushbrook, and Miss St Helena 2020, Latisha
Fowler. Shortly after, stalls, selling local crafts
and refreshments, were opened and
activities, such as Mini Golf and Ring Toss
commenced. The float parade [see photo
collage] departed the Hospital around 2pm
and made their way to the Grand Parade.
Floats included a Chinese dragon, a rotating
globe and a sailing ship. In the evening there
was live music entertainment and a fireworks
display. A video of the St Helena’s Day
celebrations can be viewed online here:
https://fb.watch/61XKtXvxT0/
2
Nursing on St Helena
I
nternational Nurses services for the whole only two nurses worked at Assistants, two School
Day (IND) is celebrated Island which included the Hospital during the Nurses and three
on 12 May (the inoculations, managing the nights. Psychiatric Nurses (within
anniversary of outpatients clinics, caring the Mental Health Section).
Florence Nightingale's for people with diabetes Mrs Young remarked:
These positions are held by
birth) each year, to mark and school inspections. “I started with a wage of local and Technical
the contributions that “At one time we cared for
five Guinea per month Cooperation Officers.
nurses make to society. approximately 1200
[worth approx. £5 per
children, across the Island We also take this time to
In recognition of IND, we from babies to school month today]. I enjoyed
thank and commemorate
introduce you to Mrs May leavers” Mrs Young recalls. nursing, especially
Nurses who have since
Young, a retired midwifery as it was my
retired, moved onto
Community Nursing Officer, Mrs Young was on-call for speciality. You could never
another career path, or
and take a look at the midwifery duties in the get fed up being a Nurse as
who have passed away.
Health Service on St Helena Hospital and also assisted there was something
Special mention to retired
through the years. with home birth deliveries. different every time. As a
Nursing Staff - Mrs Beatie
Mrs Young also helped out District Nurse, I looked after
Mrs May Young in the Hospital dispensary Stroud, Mrs Gertrude
people from the cradle to
when required. Corker, Mrs May Young,
the grave.
Mrs May Young (aged 90) Mrs Brenda Bizaare, Mrs
of Romans, Jamestown, is a The Civil Hospital (as it was “Whoever is considering Faith Nicholls, Miss Jean
retired Community Nursing known) was situated where becoming a nurse, must be Peters, Mr Rodney
Officer having served 42 the Health Services dedicated, prepared to Benjamin, Mrs Mavis
and a half years as a Directorate Admin building work hard and must treat Benjamin, and Mrs Ruth
midwife and nurse within is currently located, and other people as they would Young [we apologise if we
the St Helena Health housed 32 beds, spread like to be treated have missed anyone].
Service. across the children’s, themselves.”
maternity, nursery, male, Nurse Recruitment
Mrs Young started her female, private and side We’d like to thank Mrs
An open-door Healthcare
nursing career in June 1948 (ICU) wards. Young for sharing her story
recruitment event was held
at the age of 17 as with us. at the General Hospital on
Probationary Nurse where Mrs Young explained:
Current Nursing System Wednesday, 2 June 2021,
she undertook studies and
between 10am and 3pm.
training, alongside of “When I started work in
Nurses currently employed This event allowed persons
Matron Sim, and a number 1948, there was no
within the St Helena Health interested in becoming
of theory and practical electricity in the Hospital
Service comprise of a Staff Nurses or Health Care
exams to gain her qualified until 10pm when the
Hospital Nursing Officer, Assistants to talk with
nursing status. generator would kick in at
Theatre Sister, Practice nursing staff and to learn
the back of the Hospital.
Development Nurse, more about working in
In 1954, Mrs Young became Otherwise lighting was
a midwife where she provided by lanterns or Community Nursing Officer, healthcare. Interviews for
Health Care Assistants also
delivered babies and led torches. Electricity was only Community Nursing Sister,
took place on the day.
antenatal and child welfare used for emergencies. six Community Nurses,
classes. Mrs Young stayed There were no electric three Community Health
in the midwifery profession stoves and we used a Care Assistants, two
for a number of years geyser to heat the bath Midwives, four Charge/
before transferring to the water.” Sister Nurses, three local
Community Nursing team. Senior Staff Nurses, seven
At the Hospital there were
Staff Nurses, five Senior
As a Community Nurse, Mrs four female nurses and two
Health Care Assistants,
Young, along with her team male nurses, one staff
three Health Care Thank you to all the Nurses
- Beatie Stroud, Faith nurse, one matron, one
Assistants, seven past and present for your
Nicholls and Brenda doctor and one senior
Community Nurses / hard work and dedication!
Bizarre - provided care and medical officer (SMO) and
3
Nursing on St Helena
Mrs May Young
Mrs Young on her
last day of work
Mrs Young in her
nursing uniform Mrs Young and her work colleagues
Below are a few photos of Hospital staff, supplied by the Museum of St Helena. Can you recognise anyone?
SHG Press Office | 1st Floor, The Castle | Jamestown | Tele: +290 22470
kerisha.yon@sainthelena.gov.sh | liam.yon@sainthelena.gov.sh | jodie.s-constantine@sainthelena.gov.sh
www.sainthelena.gov.sh
You can also read
