LAST week we featured a picture of the opening of the Royal Gwent Hospital on its new site on Cardiff Road in Newport in 1901.

THE ‘then’ photo shows the ward I went to on the first floor.

I went to see my doctor Mr Bevan Davis who believed I had appendicitis. He told me to go to the Royal Gwent when I was between 10 or 12 years old with my grandmother.

The doctor I was meant to see was away so I ended up seeing Mr Bevan Davis again. It was all sorted and my appendix was removed.

The sister in charge was my aunt Ethel Evans. She left and went to Birmingham hospital to become matron. I also used to visit the children’s ward to see my aunt where there was always loads of Dandy and Beano comics.

David Evans, Risca

THIS is the Royal Gwent Hospital on Cardiff Road. It was built in 1901 on land donated by Lord Tredegar and cost £25,000. It was designed on the ‘Pavilion’ principle.

At the time all the patients arrived either on foot, horse ambulance or by tram, today the tiny car park cannot cope with the traffic.

Most of the original buildings have been replaced by modern buildings, no doubt more efficient but less pleasing to the eye.

There used to be a balcony where patients with lung and chest problems could be wheeled out to get some fresh air.

Dave Woolven, Newport

TODAY’S picture is the Royal Gwent Hospital in its early years. Not sure of date but at one time the hospital had an annual event/fete.

Jim Dyer, Newport