Kettering General Hospital
Not until 1897 did Kettering receive its own general hospital - an attempt to raise funds for one 10 years previously had failed through lack of interest. Before, patients had to go to Leicester or Northampton for treatment. Among those who pressed for it were Mary Stockburn, a nurse and daughter of a leading citizen, and Thomas Iliffe, a tobacconist! The money was raised by means of a 5-day bazaar, and land was donated by the Duke of Buccleuch on the site of the present hospital. At first there were only 23 beds, though this expanded to 58 in 1902.