Dr Raj's Surgery
This was a cuboid shaped building just afterthe row of shops after the offie. It is long gone as it was burnt down by hooligans I believe. The site is now a grassed area marked by a blue sign saying something like'welcome to Mallowburn Cresent shops' Dr Raj was the only doctor. Here is a photo of the site. The little path in front of the red post box led to a map, now long gone. The surgery itself was to the right of that horrible white 3 legged rusty sign which lists the names of the types of shops to be found...no doubt incorrect and outdated now. I presume there is now no surgery on kenton bar and the residents have to treck miles away to see a doctor...
My Mam told me that Dr. Raj smoked those "Sobrane" cigarettes but I am not sure if they were actually smoked during a consultations or not - this may be poetic license from Mensforth
ReplyDeleteHe really was a great Doctor and cared deeply about his patients and I am sure he is sadly missed by all that knew him. He drove a TR7 for god sake - in the 70's - how damned stylish was that!!! used to be parked near the surgery behind the offy. Always immaculately dressed and super polite to everybody he met. If you have not passed away Dear Dr. Raj then please forgive us for writing you off too soon.......
STOP PRESS!!
Dr. Raj is apparently still practicing at his Lemington surgery - YES!!! If I still lived on Kenton Bar I would make the journey to Lemington just to see him.
I remember Doctor Raj very well, and that map. It's been 32 years since Ive been back to Kenton Bar, looking for a place to stay when I return in about a year, wish I could stay on the estate itself, rent some furnished place .
ReplyDeleteIn the Ryder & Yates book by Rutter there is reference to a surgery built in Longbenton by R&Y for a Doctor Saint(The Saint House Surgery)and a black & white illustration of it as well as a plan...it reminds me very much of the Kenton Bar Surgery. Rutter comments on the 'concrete canopy complete with water spouts by now familiar Ryder and Yates motifs' over the entrance, but I can recall if the KB one had this...
ReplyDeleteHe also notes how the surgery had no aspect(view) to the garden or road and notes how it was 'lit soley from clerestory window running length of the building to the front and back'...this was also definitely true of Dr Raj's surgery, which was beautifully dark and claustophobic inside...