Royal

Returned to work today - this cold bug really has been doing the rounds, has anyone not had it. One thing we must all share with the Queen.

When I first started work at Salford many years ago I was asked to sort out the site of the then closed Salford Royal Hospital on Chapel Street. The Regional Health Authority wanted shot of it. It came very close to being demolished as it's conversion to anything else was clearly proved to be an unviable prospect by expert reports.

It ended up being converted to apartments, and seems to be doing well. And I like the fact that the coat of arms remains.

The new Salford Royal, three miles from here, is now one of the country's best hospitals.

So something good to reflect on as the working year begins again.