IT’S the end of an era at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
The last coal was delivered into the old boilers at the hospital last Monday, before their replacement by new oil and gas-fired boilers.
Hospital chiefs say they will be more efficient and more environmentally friendly.
Boilerman Ian Naven, from Linthwaite, has worked in the boiler rooms for 31 years, and was on one of the last shifts with colleagues Gary Pyrah, Dave Jones and Graham Scarlet.
Ian said: “It is an emotional day. I think of all the guys who have worked in here over the years, the unsung heroes, who have kept the boilers and the hospital running through all emergencies.”
He was presented with one of the boiler’s plaques – which reads Ruston & Hornsby Ltd, Lincoln, England, 1961 – by estates officer John Ennis to mark the day.
Work will soon begin on the dismantling of the landmark black chimney and the four old boilers which used up 15 tonnes of coal a day.
It is not clear whether they will be scrapped or sent abroad.
Estates director Frank Gibbons, said: “There are very few coal-fired boilers left and we have had excellent service from them and our teams in the boilerhouse over the years.
“However it is an end of an era and also the start of a new cleaner, greener and more efficient and reliable way of heating the hospital.”
