My mother, Ethel Davies worked at St David’s hospital as a nurse for a number of years. There are two memories in particular I would like to share.
ABNORMAL BIRD BEHAVIOUR
When on daytime duty, it was noticed that birds were acting in a curious way with staggering around and falling over and being unable to fly. The reason for this turned out to be that a patient on tranquilizers always used to request water with her tablets. She would go to the kitchen to get water and then throw the tablets outside. The birds, usually seagulls, would swoop down and swallow the pills hence their behaviour.
FULL MOON EVENTS
Mam was adamant that patients were always more agitated and on edge when there was a full moon. She also stated that an owl used to hoot particularly loudly near the church at this time. I’m aware that a number of other patients reported the same.