A Talented Man

The Have Your Say team were invited to the grand opening of the Charles Vites Memorial Centre in Naylor Street, latterly known as Doctor Turabi’s surgery. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Hugh Barratt, officially opened the new high-tech medical centre, comprising a surgery and research facility connected to the world-wide Medi-Net.

Doctor Charles Vites was one of Manchester’s best known general practitioners for over forty years. He first set up practice in Ardwick in 1947. Sadly, he died in February,1999 aged eighty three. Doctor Nicholas Vites has named the surgery after his late father as a memorial to him. “He was a pioneer of the health service and believed passionately in the fact that lack of money shouldn’t be a barrier to people receiving the best possible medical attention at all times. I know he would have been delighted to have his name and life’s work commemorated in this way and I am very proud to be able to follow his lead.”

At the grand opening a video tape of a very old Coronation Street episode (1960) was played. Dr. Nicholas’s Mum, Viola, told us “Charles was also a writer. The episode shown was one of the ones he wrote the script for. He also had several plays produced and one called “Inquest of a Lady” was performed at the Library Theatre. George Waring (remember Softly, Softly?) was in that.” I commented how she must be proud of her son’s achievement and consideration in dedicating the centre to his father’s memory. She modestly agreed with me and added, “I’m proud of both my children.”

Good luck, Doctor Vites. May your father’s memorial be a success in Miles Platting.

by Kathryn Bates