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Those were the Days!!! By F E Rogers. (Written in the early 1970’s)

Having decided to relinquish my post as doyen of the clerical corps at High Royds Hospital and to abdicate my position as oldest inhabitant ( by virtue of service, not age) it is inevitable that I should recall what the hospital ( then the West Riding Asylum) was like almost half a century ago when with some trepidation I walked up the front drive for my interview. Employment for school leavers was almost unobtainable and I counted myself lucky to be the one selected from 46 applicants, all of whom had school certificates and many, the Northern Universities’ Matriculation Certificate.

There were no trees then on Thorpe Lane, so that the asylum buildings were most impressive when viewed from White Cross, albeit the main tower with it’s tiled belfry atop looked like a grey old man wearing a red dunce’s cap. The belfry housed a single bell which marked the hours day and night. I later knew a patient who was firmly convinced that every time the bell tolled, an inmate was hanged at the Pumping Station. He would doff his cap, cross himself and mutter “Another one gone, poor soul!”

I reached the front door and rang the day bell, whereupon an impressive figure wearing a frock coat, with a cravat and an enormous tiepin, opened the door, bowed from the waist and enquired “What is your business, sir, please?”. This was the standard form of address for every visitor, whatever his status. This individual, the Hall Porter, was on duty from 5.30a.m. to 10.30p.m. with one sliding day off per week. These hours entailed his sleeping on the job; his twin rooms, office and bedroom, are still there on the “Centre”.

I was interviewed for this very minor post of office boy ( which included fire-lighting, floor sweeping and brasses cleaning, all for ten shillings a week) by no less personages than the Chairman of the Visiting Committee, ( a Leeds Alderman), the Architect to the Asylums Board, the Medical Superintendent, and the Clerk of Works. Throughout the interview, I was distracted by the Alderman’s enormously bulbous and scarlet nose. Some years later a portrait of this gentleman hung ceremoniously in the Committee Room, but for this purpose his proboscis had been suitably “touched up” so that if he appeared, if not handsome, at least almost normal.

On the morning I began work there was deep snow and I found the Timekeeper and his wife searching for a lost key. As this was never found and the person responsible would not own up, the Medical Superintendent ruled that, as a punishment, the staff from Guiseley would no longer use the gate in question ( then at the east end of the General Stores). Consequently all staff from that direction had to come in by the Laundry Drive until in the summer, it was found that they were taking a short cut across the cricket field and ruining the turf of the square, so permission to use the underpass ( now governed by traffic lights) was restored.

At the entrance to each drive stood a massive wrought iron carriage gate and a handgate hung on stone pillars. The carriage gates were locked from dusk to dawn and anyone requiring admittance had to pull the big pendant handle which rang a bell in the lodge. Very few vehicles used the drives as most goods were delivered in bulk via the private railway siding. Only the occasional two-horse railway dray or the horse drawn ambulances from Leeds and Bradford were to be seen, except on visiting afternoons, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays or Committee Day once a month, when Waite’s Livery Stables ran a shuttle service of cabs from Guiseley Station.

Only two motor vehicles were in evidence; the Works Department Ford Ton Lorry and Medical Superintendent’s Armstrong- Siddeley. Petrol for these was obtained in two-gallon cans from Guiseley and stored (separately) in the Oil Store. The drives were poorly lit by gas lamps – the lamp lighter with his long stick igniting them at dusk and returning to extinguish them at 10.30p.m.

Staff worked long hours and suffered many restrictions. The newest members had to live in for an indefinite period, sleeping either on the wards ( at least one on each ward in case of fire) or in the three residence, one of which (no3) was the married quarters. The period of living in varied according to the recruitment position; one could still be living in after three years, or be lucky enough to be “out” in six months. Living in staff were required to be in their quarters by 10.30p.m. unless in possession of a late pass, when they would have to report at the only door open, on the Laundry Drive, at the end of the “female” corridor. Nevertheless there seemed to be no dearth of candidates for the posts of Attendants and Nurses(sic) although qualifications asked for had no relevance to nursing but were, for example, football or cricket skills, singing, acting or the playing of an instrument. This was because the duties were more custodial than remedial and the skills were required for the entertainment of staff and patients in a somewhat isolated environment by way of the excellent orchestra, stage players, games teams and choir. The male staff were largely recruited locally and many lived in the houses at Menston then known as “The Barracks”, which had been privately erected by an enterprising builder for this purpose when the Asylum was opened. Many of the female staff were “foreigners”, largely Irish, and locally their reputations were, rightly or wrongly, suspect. The stretch of road between White Cross and Hare and Hounds then bare of buildings except for the lodge houses, was their place of promenade, particularly on Sunday evenings and was known as “The Bunny Run”. Many a local mother exhorted her teenage son to “Keep away from them ‘Sylum Totties” (short for “Hottentots”)

But if the life of the staff was hard, that of the patients was even more spartan. The system of certification meant that usually admission was delayed until all hope of improvement was gone; accordingly to enter the Asylum was in effect a life sentence of incarceration. The wards were dark, being painted in bottle green or chocolate brown, with bare wooden floors or at best, dark brown linoleum. The furniture was heavy and designed to resist damage rather than to provide comfort; there were no curtains, only blinds for privacy. A few pictures, poor reproductions of famous paintings, were on the walls. True, every ward had it’s caged canary, whose singing was cinema and nor for a long time, television. At night the wards were even more dismal, having very sparse incandescent gas lighting. Some of the sanitary spurs even had no hot water for washing.

cinema and nor for a long time, television. At night the wards were even more dismal, having very sparse incandescent gas lighting. Some of the sanitary spurs even had no hot water for washing.

Meals were taken in the large dining halls, except for the sick wards and Sunday services never had less than 600 attending (even though like the Army Church Parades it was a matter of compulsion rather than inclination). Smoking was completely forbidden to staff on duty, on pain of instant dismissal, and only permitted to male patients in dayrooms and corridors. Women did not smoke at all unless they were “fast”.

Safety consciousness was at a premium – staff went their rounds at frequent intervals during the night, pegging- in at every dayroom and dormitory so that their presences were recorded on a time clock in the Medical Superintendent’s office, the record being closely scrutinised each morning. Open fires were protected by padlocked guards, patients were not in any circumstances allowed to have matches; w.c. pulls were enclosed as a precaution against hanging; even the gas brackets on staircases were so designed that they collapsed if anything was hung upon them. Fires seemed much less frequent than today – perhaps this was because the minor outbreaks were not reported, and one only knew of a fire if it got out of hand.

The “Centre” was a Holy of Holies. Only those with bona fide business were allowed to set foot in it. Even so, unless you wore rubber soled shoes, you would find that the door of the Medical Superintendent’s Office would open, and “The DOCTOR” himself would glare at you over his glasses, not saying a word. But one felt about six inches high, yet at the same time prominent and vulnerable.

The lawns and shrubberies were immaculate – innumerable patients were dragooned into this work and into farming as a sort of primitive occupational therapy. The lawns in particular were as sacrosanct as an army parade ground. Once I began to walk across the lawn that then filled the middle of the works department yard, but was ordered back and make to walk round. Another beautiful lawn, flanked by a row of magnificent sycamores, occupied the position where the General Stores Oil Store now stands. At one time a path developed diagonally across it and the Medical Superintendent determined to catch the person responsible, lay in wait in the General Stores Office, declaring that the first person to cross that lawn would “go down the drive”. Unfortunately that person turned out to be his own wife. History does not record what punishment he meted out to her.

Such were the “good old days”. Or were they….?

asylum book sm.jpgFilming July 2, 2014voices mark me sm.jpgVoices, September 2013Frank Griffiths, Chairman Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation TrustNiccola Swan, Executive Director, Leeds 'Mind'Chris Butler, Chief Executive Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation TrustVoices September 2013Voices September 2013

Michael Portillo at Buckle Lane Chapel - July 2, 2014Grove Book Shop, IlkleyHigh Royds Clock TowerAvailable at Amazon and Waterstones online.Available at Amazon and Waterstones online.Available at Amazon and Waterstones online.Available at Amazon and Waterstones online.Available at Amazon and Waterstones online.Available at Amazon and Waterstones online.Available at Amazon and Waterstones online.

‘Voices’  Published 23, September 2013

More about the book Here

Signed copies available mark.mdavis@gmail.com

High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013High Royds Memorial Garden, Open Day 6 July 2013

High Royds Memorial Garden Open Day 6 July  2013

Out Now…  The West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum – Through Time.  Available at all good bookshops and online at Amazon and Waterstones.

More information on the book

As part of the WWI centenary, artist Paul Cummins was commissioned to fill the moat of the Tower of London with ceramic poppies, titled "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red." The war memorial that was stolen in 2008 has at last been replicated and hung in the memorial chapel at Buckle Lane.The Memorial Garden - October 17, 2012

An introduction, Tom Booth, 41 years service, 1954 – 1995.

When contemplating the lifetime/history of High Royds and its contribution to the care of the mentally ill it is well to remember that ‘success is a journey not a destination’.  Though the search for knowledge and guidance in the provision of care continues, those involved in High Royds History can look back with pride and forward with hope…  

The increase in the knowledge of all staff involved in the treatment and care and the changes in practice over the last sixty years have seen the focus of care move from hospital to community; from a Medical Model (passive) to holistic care; from custodial care (passive) to a therapeutically active approach. These demonstrate that what we do about a problem is determined by how we view that problem.

High Royds Memorial Garden Residents Publication - October 2012When love and skill work together, expect a masterpieceQuality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.My buildings will be my legacy... they will speak for me long after I'm gone.  J Vickers Edwards..Pott's finest.Magnificent..Our duty is to preserve what the past has had to say for itself, and to say for ourselves what shall be true for the futureAysgarth, Ward 15 and 16 October 2008MomentosLocation, location, locationThe east tower High Royds Double Aspect Corridor 2007 A Ford Popular parked outside as a chap stood with his bike lights a cigarette. The front doors are open, welcome to High royds hospital on this fine Summers day in June 1965.Introducing, Albert Edward WaiteBuckle Lane Chapel September 2008The gated corridor 2009Dancing cheek to cheek..Setting a grand exampleTools of the tradeIn Splendid IsolationYour Hospital Committee, 1974 Stretch into the sunset and say good-bye.Memorial to the fallen, sadly stolen by metal thieves in 2009Deep inside these splendid corridors I walk again..Hallowed Ground..JAMES R. WHITWELL,M.B., Assistant Medical Officer,West Biding. Asylum Menston 1888Nursing Staff, circa 1900 The imagination is never governed, it is always the ruling and divine powerTake out a penny and clasp it in your hand,  Scan the jars of humbugs and strawberry lace strandsBallroom decorClock tower November 28, 2010The Clock tower, 2008Menston asylum, artists impression, Herbert MartinWest Riding AsylumAll decked outIn splendid comfortStanding on the edge of everything..When we were youngDressed to kill, January 2011Admitting nothing but sarcasm I'll see you on the dark side of the moonGive a little..Exploring the eternal corridors of the mind.Tainted forever within and without. Though they go mad they shall be sane.Remembering games and daisy chainsAnd went to climb at the water tower..I’ll fix the latch when I get the time.The eternal corridors of the mindNorman HancockA stranger has come to share my room.The fog is an illusion,  A master of disguise,  Which hides the tangible  Before all our very eyes. When you and I were young You alone can hear the invisible footstepsCobblers - Shoe making tools When we build, let us think that we build for everThe cupboards are bare..let it be pantomime, this last peep show,Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. Climbing up the back stairs There's a chill wind in the air..AutumnAnd the band played on.Interview roomWhat happened to Jones Double aspectasylum wallpaper Menston mental hospital 1939 Let it snow, let it snow..Occupational TherapyMen talk of killing time, while time quietly kills themJack FrostAnnual sports day 1914Dead centre 1985Clock tower November 27, 2010 Telephone exchange,1971asylum buttons The whistlerDr R McDonald making a presentation to Dr R W Carty on Dr Cartys retirement.Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. Hare and Hounds Menston, 1943South facing aspect.Central Hall The management, 1937Clifton - Denton 1965 Clock Tower July 2010All out..Dr Walker assistant Superintendent, far left Hospital electric trainFemale ward, Escroft 1962 Football team 1945 Gated corridor, a leftover prop from the film 'Asylum'Green MileHigh Royds emergency war hospital High Royds emergency war hospital High Royds 1962 The clock tower undergoing restoration April 10, 2010 Nestled In..And death shall have no dominion.  The war memorial pictured in 2008, this has sadly been stolen and weighed in for scrap.Isabelle DuesberyStained glass in the Medical Superintendents house.The laundry corridor 1962 Leg up, High Royds emergency war hospitalMenston asylum ballroom A long dead Asylum attendant pictured in 1914 EchoesMale dining room High Royds emergency war hospitalMembers of the hospital staff dance orchestra Stained glass panel Nurses and patients 1938Menston AsylumPatients bank, 2009Patients shop, 2008Buckle Lane Memorial GardenShadows Patients shop accessed via the door to the left. The kitchen 1930'sCentral corridor 2009Do you see the world through troubled eyes. Training 1962 In Flanders fields the poppies blow  Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.Ward 15Ward 16, 1914 Works department staff 1925

Archive Images, Watch the birdie..!

This website would not the resource it is without the contributions from the people that quite literally made their own history. 

Be it Service User, staff or visitor we welcome all input..

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Confined Spaces

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SPEECH BY MR W. MOORHOUSE  Chairman of the Wakefield Board of Guardians

He said –  This is one of the most urgent and most difficult of the many social problems confronting us today.

It is, however, satisfactory to find that most earnest efforts are being made to grapple with it, and to realize that the elimination of degenerate stock is the way to preserve a high standard of racial vigour….

General Question of the Care and Control of the Feeble Minded

Delivered at a Meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee  February 1, 1911

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EUGENIC CONGRESS

The first International Eugenic Congress is to be held at the University  of London, July 24th to 30th, 1912 under the Presidency of Major Leonard Darwin, and organized by the Eugenics Education Society.

Consideration Of The Practical Applications of Eugenic Principles.

Prevention of the propagation of the unfit by segregation and sterilization. Voluntary restriction of the propagation of the unsound. The encouragement of the propagation of the fit. Promulgation of the Eugenic Ideal. The place of Eugenics in Educational Systems.

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“There they stand, isolated, majestic, imperious, brooded over by the gigantic water – tower and chimney combined, rising unmistakable and daunting out of the countryside”

Enoch Powell, health minister, Brighton 1961, his historic “water Tower” Speech.

Tracing Ancestors.

Tracing your Ancestors

Unfortunately I do not hold any Medical Records in reference to the hospital but I do have a complete list of all the people buried at the Buckle Lane Cemetery Menston and can check any names you provide.  For this please email me at, mark.mdavis@gmail.com

However by contacting the West Yorkshire Archive Service Newstead Road,Wakefield information may be available, West Yorkshire Archive Service 

The public is permitted access to any records 100 years old or older; access to more recent records is restricted.

If you are requesting personal information about a relative who has died within the last 100 years you may be asked to provide proof of this relationship in the form of death and birth certificates and letters of permission from the personal representative of the deceased.

This situation is that basically, records between 30 – 100 years old are indeed restricted, but that access can be facilitated via application to the NHS Trusts via the West Yorkshire Archive Service at Wakefield.

When the West Yorkshire Archive Service at Wakefield have responded initially to say the request has been received, a formal response will be issued within 30 working days as permitted by the Freedom of Information (Time for Compliance with Request) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3364).  This allows time for the assessment of the request under the terms of FOIA, including consultation with the relevant NHS Trust, and the application of a public interest test where relevant.

 Where access is permitted, West Yorkshire Archive Service needs to ensure that enquirers only have access to information to which no valid exemption applies.  This may mean that it is not possible to grant access to the original physical record but that access to the information may be given by transcribing the relevant sections or by providing a photocopy with exempt information blanked out.

As far as hospital records go, there are many surviving, particularly admission and discharge registers, and the location and scope of such records can be traced via the Hospital Records Database.

National Archives Hospital Database

Do let me know how you get on.

Mark

Please use this link  Wakefield Asylum Website to visit the website devoted to the former Wakefield Asylum (Stanley Royd Hospital)