A group of nurses and former nursing staff held their annual reunion dinner at Derwen College on Saturday.

The League of Nurses came together for their 53rd gathering and for the first time held it at the specialist residential college which was founded by pioneering nurse Dame Agnes Hunt back in 1927.

Dame Agnes was an orthopaedic nurse who set up Derwen College 91 years ago with the aim of bringing increased independence and work skills to people with disabilities and with the help of top surgeon Robert Jones, she also formed what is now the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt (RJAH) Orthopaedic Hospital, which resides next to the college and where the nurses worked.

League of Oswestry Nurses general secretary Sheila Hughes said: “Because of the close association between the Orthopaedic Hospital and Derwen, we collaborated with the college during their 90th birthday year in 2017 and were impressed when we saw the facilities on offer in the historic Orangery Restaurant.

“The venue is just on the doorstep of the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital and has a wonderful connection with the hospital through Dame Agnes Hunt.

“The lunch at Derwen College also gives us an opportunity to view archive materials on Dame Agnes Hunt, nurse and co-founder of the orthopaedic and founder of Derwen College.”

The League of Oswestry Nurses was formed from nurses who trained at this world-renowned facility. Its original membership was around 100 former students and in later years, membership was extended to include nurses working at the hospital who had trained elsewhere.

Members are now spread across the world.