THERE was a wartime atmosphere as a hospital celebrated its 70th birthday in 2012.

Staff dressed up in 1940s clothes and visitors enjoyed birthday cake and a display of the site’s history; several people handed over mementoes for the archives at Somerset Heritage Centre.

Musgrove Park Hospital was originally set up as a Second World War military hospital in September 1942.

Communications manager Dave Shuttleworth said: “Musgrove has changed enormously since then and we are currently looking forward to the completion of the Jubilee Building.

“That will see the demolition of the 1940s buildings which have served us well over the years, but it will be nice to have a state-of-the-art building for the fantastic services we’ll continue to offer.”

Louise Donovan, who is co-ordinating the archive material, said: “We’ve had old photos, newspaper cuttings, training pamphlets, medical equipment and even dressings in the original packaging.

“We’ve got material from the whole 70 years – everyday stuff that has made Musgrove the place it is today.”

Somerset County Gazette: Musgrove Park hospital 70th birthday celebration ; Annette Giles [Library Manager] and Jess Pawley [Library Assistant]

Somerset County Gazette: Musgrove Park hospital 70th birthday celebration ; Josie Watt and Chris Smith [from Catering]

Somerset County Gazette: Musgrove Park hospital 70th birthday celebration ; Louise Donovan [Project Coordinator for Art For life].

Somerset County Gazette: Musgrove Park hospital 70th birthday celebration ; Sophie Groves [a Secretary] and Katie Neale [from Communications]