Strict rules were applied to visitors who wanted to see patients at the Wingfield-Morris Hospital in Oxford.

Like Pam Holliday (Memory Lane, December 31), Thelma Dover remembers Sister Walker ruling with a rod of iron.

Mrs Dover writes: "Visiting was on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 2 to 4pm. If the ward was not up to Sister Walker's standards - royal blue covers not straight, bed corners not right, pillows not plumped up, beds not straight and the correct distance from each other - this had to be put right before the doors would be opened to visitors.

"From our beds, we could see them gathered outside the doors - two large swing doors with porthole windows.

"Even if visitors were not allowed through the doors until 10 minutes after the hour, it would make no difference - they were all ushered out right at the appropriate time.

"All the girls would start to sing, Give us one minute more, only one minute more', a song popular at the time.

"Visitors were definitely not allowed to sit on the beds, and only two were allowed at one time.

"Any goodies they brought in were taken away to be shared. If eggs were brought in, your name could be put on one and you were allowed to have it for breakfast.

"If parents brought in birthday cakes, these were shared, too. I spent my birthday there in July 1948."

Mrs Dover, of The Grove, Deddington, who had three spells in the hospital - now the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre - as schoolgirl Thelma Palmer, remembers Sister Walker as a dominant figure, with starched white hat, cuffs and apron, dark blue dress and polished shoes.

"Nothing was out of place. She had a cast in one eye, which seemed to add to her authority.

"My dad used to say you were never quite sure who she was looking at, so everyone obeyed.

"All the nurses were inspected when they came on shift and they, too, were immaculate - starched hats which were shaped like butterflies, striped pale mauve dresses, white aprons and black, well-polished shoes. Pendant watches were pinned in the correct place on their aprons.

"The staff nurses also had starched hats, cuffs and aprons, but I think their dresses were striped blue.

"Matron would make weekly visits - she, too, was always immaculate, with a lace frill round her hat, navy blue dress and well-polished shoes."

More of Mrs Dover's hospital memories soon.