The birth of two babies at Torrington Cottage Hospital – one on Christmas Eve and the other on Boxing Day – added to the joy of patients there at Christmas.

Although there was a fair number of patients in the Hospital and some shortage of staff, the Matron, Miss L M Bray, and her nurses spared no efforts to make it a happy Christmas for the patients. The wards and entrance hall had been gaily decorated and each patient had presents from the staff on their breakfast trays and off the Christmas tree.
There was goose and plum pudding for Christmas Day dinner and patients each entertained two visitors to tea. On Boxing Day there was a turkey, the gift of Dr G A Y West for dinner.
Visitors to the Hospital at Christmas included the choirs of the Parish Church and the Methodist Church, who sang carols.
Gazette article dated 29 December 1948