A group of nurses from the swinging 60s returned to St Helier Hospital 50 years on.

The year was 1963, The Beatles released their first album, Harold Macmillan was prime minister and the Vietnam War was in full swing.

Wimbledon Times:

The ladies 50 years on 

However, during their reunion on September 7 the nurses discovered a lot had changed during the last 50 years.

Former nursing staff travelled from as far afield as Canada, Cyprus and the Channel Islands.

Sue Fisher, from Worcester Park, helped arrange the reunion with Irene Howe, also from Worcester Park, and said: “It was so different in those days, more like the army. 

“We spent nine weeks training in a classroom and did everything from cookery classes so that we cook for patients to health and hygiene. 

“We were not allowed to leave the hospital grounds with our uniform on, which in those days included nurse’s hats and big heavy capes. I remember the matrons were nice but strict – what they said, absolutely went”.