A Memorable Day
Joyce couldn't remember having drawn up the Rules for the new York Division in 1977. However, she did remember - perhaps with painful clarity - her first encounter with ia a decade or so earlier. Dr. Geoffrey Watkinson (known to some as 'Watty'!) sent her from, and back to her hospital bed here in York to see the impressive array of stoma appliances and accessories which Leeds offered its ostomists. That visit marked the start of York's involvement with ia, going to meetings in Leeds until it was judged 'from on high' that the thirty two members here were mature enough to look after themselves. Thus the new York Branch, under Mr. Matheson's Chairmanship, held its first meeting in York County Hospital in 1968.
By the time York attained Divisional Status in 1977, membership had grown to eighty two. Joyce stressed that despite radical changes in the Health Service (including a change of venue for York Division to York District Hospital), ia's activities had remained 'constant and positive'. She looked back on nearly 20 years as Honorary Secretary as a time of 'success, harmony and constructive action, not least because of Mr. Matheson's 'approachability, helpfulness, and readiness to solve problems'. She remembered too his patience and kindness through very long committee meetings... giving Mr. Hopton a timely warning against going on until 11.30pm!
During her time in office, Joyce could recall Mr. Matheson missing only one committee meeting and perhaps three general meetings. She thought maybe his staying in office some eight years after retiring as Senior Consultant Surgeon at York District might mean he had been reluctant to sever his association with York Division. Whether or not this was so, Joyce thanked him sincerely for all he had done and assured him he would be greatly missed by everyone in York Division.
