This print was made from a drawing I made inspired by memories of the long-stay wards in the 70’s and 80’s. There were no curtains around the bed like on the admission wards so there was lack of privacy. Patients were expected to work during the day in the industrial therapy unit for a pittance, and sit in the day room watching television most evenings. Despite this some older patients had good memories of the hospital. They had company, usually without the petty jealousies found in the outside world. There were three hot meals a day and in the evening the kitchen was left open on some wards. There were films on Wednesday afternoon, old black and white films shown in the main hall. On Tuesday evening there was a games night where patients were allowed to listen to their records and play dominoes, snakes and ladders, draughts and chess. There was bingo night where patients could win a loose cigarette or a bar of chocolate for a line, or ten cigarettes for a full house. There were skittles matches against teams from other hospitals. In the summer there was a fete on the cricket pitch, with prizes for painting, drawing, cakes, jam and tapestry.

During the summer there were cricket matches against other hospitals. There was a yearly trip to the coast, to Eastbourne, Brighton, or Hastings, where the patients would roam the seaside town often as not ending up in the pub.