A HOSPITAL campaigner is appealing for more information about a former Bicester Cottage Hospital matron – known as Matron Lloyd.

Since Les Sibley launched a campaign to save the town’s hospital, thousands of people have signed a petition and dozens have shared their memories, particularly of the maternity wing.

In the past few weeks one name has been mentioned repeatedly – Matron Lloyd.

This week the Bicester Advertiser publishes a black and white picture of Eileen Herring with the matron, who is holding her son, David, now 53.

Mrs Herring, 79, said she was in labour for three days and was supported by the nurse.

She said: “Matron Lloyd was wonderful. There was nothing she would not do for you.”

Mr Herring, 78, who took the photograph, said: “It was our first baby. I had the camera and she was coming out with my wife and I took the photo.”

Since the petition was launched in February more than 3,500 people have signed up to call for Bicester to retain a hospital with beds.

Oxfordshire PCT is seeking developers to build a primary care centre – a hospital without beds. Twelve beds would be provided elsewhere in the town at care homes.

Mr Sibley said he wanted to find out more about Matron Lloyd to boost his campaign.

He said: “It’s really great to hear these fascinating stories.

“What this says loud and clear is that people want to see these types of facilities retained; services like maternity and respite care. We certainly had these when I came to Bicester 42 years ago. People want the opportunity to have their children in their local hospital.”

Another former Bicester Cottage Hospital baby, Peter Capel-Smith, born in 1933, brought along a card from the Radcliffe and Associated Hospitals Contributory Scheme.

His parents paid the equivalent of 2p a week to cover medical care – before the National Health Service was launched in 1948.

Mr Sibley hopes his hospital petition will reach 10,000 signatures before it is handed in later this year to the chief executive of Oxfordshire PCT.