A group of 50 past and present Airedale hospital patients has been invited to a children's party on Sunday to mark the local launch of the National Health Service's golden jubilee celebrations.

Three days later workers will enjoy a 1970s day in the hospital's staff dining room in recognition of the 50th birthday of hospital catering.

Theme days covering five decades will be celebrated during the year.

The first, marking the era in which the hospital was opened, will feature 70s music and memorabilia and the sort of food eaten at the time.

The main events nationally and locally will take place over the weekend of July 3-5, the date of the launch of the NHS in 1948. Invited guests will enjoy cheese and wine at Airedale hospital on the Friday evening, be given a preview of a series of floral displays and share in the reminiscences of GP Dr Barry Brewster.

On the Saturday, when the public are invited to a summer fair, operating theatres will be open for viewing and a labour suite will be set up in the style of yesteryear.

Displays of photographs showing the changes in the NHS over 50 years will also be featured.

The Keighley News, in co-operation with Airedale NHS Trust, is planning to publish a special supplement to mark the occasion. We would welcome readers' recollections. Call reporter Sylvia Thompson if you have anything to tell us about the history of the health service, whether from a patient's or staff members's point of view.

On the Sunday the Friends of Airedale will be staging a car boot sale to raise funds to buy items of benefit to patients.

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