Guestbook

Steve Francome - my uncle Mr Eric Williams worked at Garthangharad in the 70's and lived in the lodge in the grounds just past the Hospital (West Lodge ?) Not sure when he retired to return to live in Denbigh, Do you have any recollections of him? I remember staying there one summer and watching the patients playing football.

Just stumbled across this site. I used to work as a staff nurse at Garth Angharad Hospital in Penmaenpool, Dolgellau from 1983-6. What has happened to the building and are there photgraphs?

hello i am currently looking at NWH and would appreciate any pictures anyone may have! the more the better such an interesting building and history!
P.S. Great job on site!

just came across the site worked in the hospital in 77/79 best time of my young life! remember well clwyd stuart jones paul (woodwork) bob niele great chargenurses glad to hear you are all well so sad to see the hospital now
best wishes to you all

Hi just found this site ive spent some time recently looking up this hospital and decided to take a trip i was sad to see this beautiful building in such a way i have some pics if anyone is interested.

Thanks for this site it should help us old nwh staff make contact with the old crowd.please get in touch if anyone remembers me,

What a great site,and now I live in Spain with my husband Gwyn it gives me great pleasure to read all the comments and view the photos.Many a day I have feelings of `hiraeth` and look back on the happy days working at the North Wales Hospital.My parents Tommy(cobbler) and Freda( ward sister) both worked there until their retirements.My dad especially told me many a good tale !Tony Laff and Lynda are here on holiday at the moment and as you can imagine we`re very nostalgic about our working days.Poor old Gwyn just listens! How nice that Keith and Pat Warburton were over,and everyone got together.We were neighbours for a couple of years in Abbey Court .Denbigh.Tony and Lnda say they had a good night catching up with everyone.Well take care all out there,and I`m glad I`ve found your site.

excellent web found out about this from cliff golf club i was a porter in the hospital from 1978-91 my best memories come from there keep up the good work all the best
mike

Great website Clwyd and co., well done. Had a trip down memory lane myself a couple of weeks back when I bumped into Dai Bryn, John Davey and Clwyd in the Royal Alex Hospital in Rhyl, where they were busy archiving notes. Is it really 35 years ago since Dai Bryn and Tom Lewis inducted me into the noble art of psychiatric nursing! All the Best. Robin

I had the pleasure of attending Grenville Roberts,s 80th birthday celebration at the Rugby Club recently. The place was full of his old colleages and his family. It was a complete surprise to him.Nice to see people like Tony Roberts, Tom Lewis,Arnie Ainslie John Wynne and Mr John Davey Williams and Gwylim Pearce all enjoying tea and cakes in the afternoon. What ever happened to sex drugs and rock and roll?

Nice to see my Pts 81 on the site;happy memories of the time spent in the NWH;Rowena a memory clinic nurse at the maelor. Jan i think is still in Canada,Roger a liaison nurse in Bangor and i'm a CPN in Dolgellau.the last i heard about Dewi was he worked in the prison service,how about a get together? thanks to all involved with the site

(see photo at 'On Line Reunion' page)

hi..i worked at the hospital in 1982 on a work experience for 6 months before starting my RMN in birmingham.I loved it there.I often wander what happened to gwilym pearce who was a charge nurse. there was also marion a staff nurse and kevin the SEN at the day hospital.they helped shape my decision to go nursing .sadly, denbigh was just too close to ruthin.There was also Tom who ran the garden centre. i cannot believe the tragedy of what has happened to the building.Many people here in Vancouver now know about the hospital. thanks..........John

Nice to hear from the two youngsters Roger and Dei Bri. With regard to the planned football reunion Dei, we have not yet set a date but we will be having one some time this year. Thanks for the story Roger, many will remember Reg and understand what you mean about fitting into the car, he was a great character. I hope this will prompt others to send in their memories.

Never thought I'd suffer from a bout of nostalgia, only found out about the site last Sunday; what a stroll down memory lane [perhaps that should be Love Lane]. Shame to see the hospital looking so delapidated, I've some fond memories of old freinds and Denbigh. Well done to both Clwyd & Dei Blaenau; have spent an hour on the site, not quite filling up but, savouring some of the images & clips.

Clwyd, you were asking for any anecdotes / memories. The one occassion which sticks in my mind is, one Christmas [Late sixties] working with Arnie Ainseley, who bet me I couldn't get Reg Bostock in my car and visit him at home on Christmas morning. Reg hadn't been out of the hospital for years, if indeed ever. At the time I had a MG Midget and for those who remember Reg, quite a tall man. Arnie lost the bet, Reg and I had a pleasurable half an hour on Christmas morning, and he behaved like the perfect gent. Keep up the good work.

Tom Lewis told my sister Jean that there is a reunion of the football team being planned, when I had a pub lunch with Stuart Lloyd Jones last night in Abernethy (Scotland) he said that the date was in June, can anyone conifrm the date and is any reprobate allowed to turn up? Best wishes.

Thanks for your comments Cliff, did you mean senti-mentalists. I should say that the technical brains behind this site is Dafydd Lloyd Jones or Dei Blaenau as he is known to his friends. Without his hard work and know-how we would never have got the site up and running and improving all the time. I am indebted to him for his support, not only on this website but in many other projects that we have worked on together. We would be pleased to hear from others as we would one day like to think about some kind of reunion. If you have any comments about this or the website, good or bad, we would like to hear from you. Best wishes to you all. Clwyd

found out about this site from roger beedles who is the present captain of denbigh golf club where i do the catering i think clwyd is doing a great job giving us old mentalites the opportunity to rekindle some great memories of this once great institution

In response to Clwyd regarding ex staff accessing the hospital site i am able to put a few names forward.
John Thomas N.S.W.
Gordon, Viv Reid N.S.W,and Viv sister Alison
Brian Evans,Nefyn Jones & Ken Ellis.
John,Gorden & Viv are still in touch with Denbigh,John hopes to come over late next year and meet up with some of the old boys.
Regards
Haydn

Hi Clwyd,
Many thanks for stopping at the petrol station the other day and providing me with the url for the website, accessed and all very interesting - you can take the man out of Denbigh but you can't take the Denbigh out of the man! Brings back many happy memories, halcion days of learning, fun and comaraderie. Best wishes to one and all, I trust you all have had the success in life the North Wales Hospital certainly prepared me for. My tenure: 1970 - 1976, 1978/79 and then I was gone.

Annwyl pawb / Dear all

I have only just found out about this site and think it's a great idea, so im just introducing myself. Im a Denbigh girl and spent my early childhood literally a stone throw away from the Hospital as my family lived in King's Mills, the other side of the hospital. My father, David Jones worked at the Hospital and my sisters and i have distinct early memories of the hospital. We remember getting dressed up and going to the Christmas parties in the Great Hall, they were marvellous parties!

I remember the rabbit hutches by the steps. I remember being really scared of the old engine room, where Dad worked, with it's noisy pistons and the coal fires. We used to dread going in there to take Dad his sandwiches for lunch!

It's good to have found this site and i look forward to being part of it's network.

I care full time for my parents in Denbigh now and when i have time, i often walk around the Hospital and even wander in around the buildings if the front gate happens to be open!

I feel strongly that the Building needs to be preserved. Congratulations on your site.

Yr eiddoch yn gywir

Mair Jones

I forgot to mention yesterday that I met Mike Maloney in the the Llindir Inn two weeks ago.He looks really well, in fact had he been wearing a grey suit and carrying a torch he wouldnt have looked any different than he did when I was on nights in 1975,well not much anyway!Oh by the way if anybody,s interested in catching up on old times my carer takes me to the Railway every Saturday night!

Love the old photos! Arnie, that beard is terrifying!Nice to read Haydn talking about old sporting icons,I still drink with some of them. Ian Jones,Roger Jones.Haydn,and Dai Bryn to name a few.Dei Bri cemetry house is now a scotsperson but still in touch,now there was an icon if there ever was and it didnt matter which shape of ball!He,s now a grandfather with bad knees living in fyffe.As for myself and Roger we are seriously considering a comeback, we may have lost half a yard but the spirit is still there,well it was last saturday night when we discussed it last. Watch this space!

Great to see the recent photo sent in by Mel Davies of the hospital rugby team which i think is 1971/72 season.Some of the boys still live locally,but with less hair!.
Although Mel occassiongly tried to fill a rugby shirt [not] he was known mostly for his football exploits,and im sure Mel wont mind me saying he was also known for turning up late for kickoff,his late tackles and being late for work!.
Hopefully Mels recent comments will spur on ex sporting icons from all teams that proudly represented the hospital over the years. Best wishes Haydn Jones

after watching denbigh mental on granada years ago weve been fascinated with the place even came to the book launch bought book and dvd and visited the place last year a really bad shame to such a nice place in such a state .as a ref to a comment writen by russel edwards 2007 the person who took is own life of the chimney could possibly my fathers friend and work colleague who was submited to denbigh mental after becoming heavinly in debt in the early 80s and also took his own life by climbing up a chimnley at denbigh hospital my father speaks very highly of this person and says it was such a sad loss. its such a shame to see a building holding so many peoples memories happy or sad in such decay it should be made into a memorial place

Just to say what an excellent talk given today by Clwyd Wynne about the work done by the North Wales Hospital Historical Society. This was at the Hospital Archives event at Brookhouse Mill. We are very lucky to have such dedicated people willing to give their time to help preserve our history.
Just a note to say a word about Mrs. Doris Boycott , the Warden in the Nurses Home who has sadly passed away a few days ago. I came here in '74 aged 16 and I was a long way from home. I was well looked after by Mrs. Boycott and I am very grateful to her and will never forget her kindness.
Did you know that as a Cadet living in , I was entitled to free meals ( up to 4 a day - breakfast was the full monty , lunch , tea and supper) and a cup of tea before bed time. I was required to be back in the Home by 10 pm and in my room by 10.30pm.

I was brought up in Denbigh, and as a youngster used to visit an uncle who was a frquent visitor. At about the age of 13 I was ecouraged to join the hospital band by Dick Williams' the bands conductor at the time and stayed with them playing euphonium for about 3 years , enjoying the weekly patient dances on a wednesday night and playing on sunday processions during Denbigh's high days.
This was in the late 60s and early 70s .On leaving school I moved away and my next contact with the hospital was as a general student nurse in Wrexham in 1976 when I was on placement there, this I found to be a very friendly and helpful time that I realy enjoyed.
Unfortunatly about nine months later I became unwell and was voluntarily admitted to Brynhyfryd ward ,then run by Wyn Jones who went on to run the unit at Wrexham .
All 3 of my experiences ,athough vastly different , have left me feelling what a loss it has been to North Wales, so much for progress

The number of people accessing the site is increasing all the time. It would be really interesting to hear from people about their interest in the hospital and about their experiences there. Stories and anecdotes will be good. If we are to maintain the interest in the history of what was probably one of the most important establishments in North Wales we need your contributions, so please send them in they are really important.
There is to be a meeting on Wednesday this week with several eminent people attending to discuss what is described as one of the best and most comprehensive archives of a hospital in the UK. We will put a report on this site in the near future.
If you have any ideas about improving or making the site more interesting please let us know.
Best wishes to all friends and ex-colleagues.
Clwyd

Nice to see the site revamp: The photo links and the video links are excellent. Morfydd and Mary's photos in particular, As an ex 'Gwynedd CPN' I have fond recollections of my trips to Denbigh. I worked in Dwyfor with Elwyn Jones, and Mel Davies in the 1980s. It's funny seeing a young Colin Peters and Robin Holden etc..good pics of 'Sir Ifor' what happened to him ?.
Dafydd, Clwyd keep up the good work
Pob Hwyl

I would just like to say a fond farewell to Sister Cathy Carr who was such a rock to the service for so many years.I wish you well Cathy.
Regards,
Debbie, LYG

Just to say I have found your site very interesting indeed. My father Les Heyward worked at the North Wales Hospital until his death in 1971. He also played in the hosptial band. My brother-in-law worked there. His name is Eifion Williams now lives in Worksop Notts, and still working. My two sons and also my Uncle Derick my fathers brother worked there. It saddens me to find the old hospital in such a state, as it gave a lot of work to a lot of people, and also great care an dedication from all the staff. Keep up the site it is good to see. Best Wishes Brenda Williams.

I LOVE THIS HOSPITAL, IT HAS SO MUCH CHARECTER, NOT LIKE THE CHEAP AND NASTY GLAN CLWYD AND BANGOR ONE.THE VICTORIANS KNEW HOW TO BUILD, NOT LIKE THE BUILDERS OF TODAY,THIS BUILDING MUST BE SAVED ASAP,I CANT UNDERSTAND WHY ITS NOT BEEN CONVERTED IN SECTIONS,IN COLWYN BAY AND LLANDUDNO THE DEVELOPERS PURPOSELY LET BUILDINGS RUN DOWN LIKE THE PENMORFA AND THE CASTLE HOTEL BECAUSE THEY CAN USE THE DETERIORATION TO THEIR ADVANTAGE,I HOPE THIS DOESNT HAPPEN

Discovering this site has been a nostalgic trip for me. I was a student/staff nurse at Denbigh Mental Hospital between 1959 - 1962 before I left to become a mental welfare officer. It was the most formative period of my life and it has been quite exciting to read about others referring to it in similar terms. Unfortunately, I have only kept in touch with Ted Bythell, who was the 'best man' at my wedding in London. I will be delighted to hear from anyone who remembers me from that time - contact me via this website.

Hi, everyone. Nice to see Clwyd Wynne is still (gainfully?) employed. The time I spent as pharmacy manager in the 1990s was the of my working life. As a pharmacist I felt that I could make a real contribution to patient care, especially when compared to the hectic pace in a general hospital such as Glan Clwyd. If anyone would like to contact me they can probably do so through this site. By the way, I still sometimes see Myfanwy from Afallon and Sister Cathy Carr (from everywhere!) when I'm around Mold. Hwyl Fawr! Bob the Pill

Just to let you know how much I enjoy visiting this site - looking at the old photographs certainly brings back a lot of memories. I am sure that there must be hundreds 'out there' who have memories and stories that would be of interest to others, so why not share them.
Many of you will remember that until 1966, the hospital was run as two seperate units - male and female, with the Chief Male Nurse running the male side, and the Matron running the female side. The only time there was integration (officially) was at dances etc. In 1966, an advert came out inviting male nurses to apply to work on the female wards as 'Deputy Sisters' Three male staff nurses were appointed as a 'pilot scheme' - George Dunn, Eddie Edwards and myself. After three months when we had experience on a number of the wards, Eddie became Charge Nurse on 7a ward, George on Afallon ward and me on 7b ward. I think most of the female staff welcomed us, but some of the older ones - particularly the Ward Sisters, were a bit dubious at first because as well as being men, two of us were also SRNs! Anyway, it seemed to work, and gradually more and more integratiion occured. Anyone else got memories of the early days of integration?
My ward (7b) became Elwy Ward, and started the Token Economy Scheme. Any ex Elwy Ward staff out there who would like to get in touch with your memories of the early days?
Thanks to Dafydd and Clwyd for a great site.

I'd lost track of this lovely document. I believe that sites like this are a vital resource and a historical treasure. Mental healthcare provision has gone through many transitions in the past two decades; the debate might well be just how much progress has been made?

I have just discovered that my ancestor died at the asylum in 1910. She was a schoolteacher, born in Scotland, who lived, married and had children in New Zealand before settling in Ruthin. She is on the 1901 census as staying at the Bogangharad Farm. Would there be any hospital/patient records for that period and if so are they accessible to the public or relatives? Does anyone know if this farm was associated with the asylum in any way?

Just been browsing through photos and with reference to Garth Angharad in Dollgellau. My Uncle Mr.Eric Williams (from Denbigh) worked there and lived with his wife Gwyneth (my Fathers sister) and son Ray in one of the lodges there (East & West ???) . after retiring they returned to Denbigh. Not sure if Eric worked at Denbigh Hospital at any time but many of my relations did, surnames of Rogers, Bartley, Wynne, Owen, Evans to name a few all from Denbigh/Henllan. Nice to read other comments that bring back memoriesstories that have been passed onto me by my father Robert (Bob) Rogers

I remember a horrible incident while working in the kitchens, while having a cup of tea outside, a patient climbed the chimney and let go, i had nightmares for weeks after, does anyone else remember this,? i think it could of been 1980

Having been out for a meal to Llandyrnog this evening I met Peter Wilson who directed me to the site as my photo is on it.What a lovely surprise and how the memories came flooding back on seeing it.Thank You Clwyd and Dafydd for an amazing walk down memory lane.

I now live in Spain and work as a writer. I was a patient in the hospital in the admission ward in 1978. I was admitted with post-natal depression and was later moved to one one of the mother and baby rooms in Gwynfryn. If I had not had that sanctuary and kindness my life would, I believe have been totally different. I am now writing a novel based not only about the life changing experience I had there but also the circumstances that led me there, the comradeship of the brave women I met there and how I turned my life around and refused to be a victim. I am sad to see the phographs of Denbigh as it is today. ( I particularly remember Tony, a social worker)

talking of ghosts -------------well i remember as a student on nights in Bryn Golau and Raymond Bartley asked me to visit the mortuary------------when i got there the place was open but in darkness-----------when i went for the light switch i felt this cold wet hand and dissapeared back to Bryn Golau like a tornado

I think that you Mike are the one on the left next to Dick Ha Ha, please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks to Keith for the info I do now recognise Gwyneth who is the girl on the right but did not remember that her maiden name was Parryand I think the other girl is Shirley Roberts . I did know that Arnie and Gwyneth are coming over as I see Gwyneth quite often in the Gym in Denbigh, she is doing really well. I hope you all enjoy the wedding and I am sure they will enjoy their stay. All the best Clwyd

nice to see we have found Michael Williams from my PTS i am sure most of us are around somewhere.
Like most of us reirement came to me in 1999
After leaving Denbigh in 1965 went to Barnet in North London to do my General training then to Birmingham to do Child psychiatry.
Following that I went to Leicester for 27rs and trained as a District Nurse and promoted to management before retiring.
The only person from my old days in Denbigh that i regularly chat to is John Arthur Owen
It would be so encouraging if the old Feb62 PTS could have a reunion dinner one day and chat about old times and see where we are now???????

What a fasinating web site. Yes Sandra and I are still in Ynys Mon. Llanallgo just above Moelfre in house called Y Berth. So if anyone is passing feel free to drop in! Can you believe it was 1993 since retiring? It is great to see all the past photos ( I am sure I must have some lurking. I know Sandra has still got a photo of Paul Gilligan and Roger Morgan in Students uniform! ( 1982 ). By the way I cant recognise myself in the PTS photo! I became a CPN when I came to the Island and last year recieved a Lifetime Achievment Award at the MH awards in Cardiff. So not bad for an old un!!! Anyway I have returned to do a bit of carpentry these days. We are still sailing to various parts of the Scottish islands. So life is not too bad. Great to read all the different stories and to find out how far people have travelled.

I have the names of those who were in the same PTS as Delwyn, they were Thomas George Morgan Davies, Michael Williams, Brenda Harley Woodcock, Derek Miles, Norman Victor Smith, Gwyneth Parry and Shirley Roberts. I think that Michael Williams now lives in Moelfre on Ynys Mon. I'm sorry but I cannot put the names to all the people in the photo but I do recognise Michael Williams.

Reading the comments on this page brought back many memories of R.M.N training at the hospital and recollections of a happy time from September 1960 to 1963 and later when I returned for a shorter period following a post graduate General Nurse training. I havent had much contact with any of the 'old staff' other than Delwyn Evans -Dolgellau and Glyn Lloyd who now lives in Wrexham.
As a benchmark to my time - I remember Jack 'CoedTalon' on Ward 1B who was a Charge Nurse with Cynfi Roberts. I also remember well Harold Price and his very good bass voice. I left the Nursing profession many years ago and spent the last 34 years in social work. 'Ble heddiw mae y plant'?.

Hi,
This week's picture shows Vicky Palin, Doug Steel & Beryl Williams in the back row. Front row faces are so familiar, but I can't put names to them.As always, I get such "Hiraeth" from looking at the site. It brings back lots of memories.
I was saddened to hear of the death of both Noel & Peter. My condolences to their families.
Best wishes to all.
Margo Farris (Williams). Trefnant.

I miss Denbigh in the early 60s so much. Feb 62 PTS. Fun and happy times living in Nurses Home and drinking in the Crown. Fond feelings of various staff on various wards - and of the dances held on Wednesday evenings and also events held outside the hospital.
woud love to hear from some of u

In response to Clwyd and Haydn's kind words: I would like to publicly thank family, friends, colleagues and the town of Denbigh for all your messages of sympathy and support shown to both our families during the last few weeks. Dad and Noel are greatly missed. Such displays of affection have touched us all very deeply. Heartfelt thanks.

Visiting this web site was a great "blast from the past" Have fond memories starting as a Cadet Nurse in 1966. Left the hospital in 1976. Gave me an excellent foundation to progress my nursing career. Retired in April 2006 after 39 years in the NHS and my last 12 years as Executive Nursing Director, North West Wales NHS Trust. An interesting point up to the year 2000 all three Directors of Nursing in North Wales started out at the North Wales Hospital.
Tony Jones

What happy memories this site brings, so sad to see the place in it's present state.
Some of the events I remember are putting up the posts at the rugby field from drainage pipes my father aquired from the council yard. The entertainments in the hall, Syd Lawrence, Kenny Ball and Frank Carson.

It was with great sadness that I attended the funerals of brothers Peter and Noel Jones, both Charge Nurses at the N.W.Hospital. It was a great tribute to them both that so many ex staff turned up to pay their last respects. My memory of their kind and compassionate nature will stay with me forever.

Just a quick note to say a big thank you to all who attended my Dad`s funeral (Peter Jones) he would have been very proud to know so many people attended. Thank You

It's been 35years since we worked at Denbigh. It was a great place to work and, the training was second to none . It is sad to see the hospital in such a state.

Thank you Clwyd for directing me to this site. It is really sad to see the hospital falling into such a state . If we had known then what we now know, maybe decentralization would have been abandoned and an excellent mental health facility preserved. I am sure there are many photos still in people's cupboards -I intend to pull mine out and send them on.

What a wonderful web site! Seen many familiar faces!

Will visit again soon.

My late father used to visit Denbigh Mental Hospital as it was known then in his capacity as a consultant neurologist. He was Dr Robert R Hughes (often referred to as "RR"). I remember as a child going to visit with him and my mother on several occasions and during one of those we were the dinner guests of a young Asian doctor and his new wife. I recall that it was the first time I had ever had an Indian(?) meal - it was delicious but seemed very hot at the time!

Well as you can see from the picture gallery we ALL made it to the reunion of the P.T.S. class of 58.What mixed emotions most of us had - we'd last seen each other as young women and returned as o.a.ps, so as you can imagine we had a lot of catching up to do about lifes joys and sorrows. After a lovely visit to Mrs Hughes or as we knew her Sister Iris we had a lovely meal and just a few wines and then it was reminiscing about the good all days when we were working in "The Mental", looking at our collection of old photographs putting names to faces which between us we named quite a few.It was such a lovely weekend and to any other groups out there you should organise the same as it was as good as any tonic with all the laughter we had. I would like to thank Dafydd for coming to take our photos for the before and after also for not getting too close with the lens,thanks to Elwyn(caretaker) for sparing us the to time to escort us around the once beautiful grounds for a final very sad look, also to Sam Pritchard for putting up with a bunch of cackling old hens in his home for the weekend

I was at this site yesterday and did a full site visit for the new owners for some work they asked me to do there. I went into the building with the caretaker who showed me around the place, and I was shocked how much of a state this place is in. I would not advise anyone to go in there at all, and to go in there of a night time is utter madness you could quite easily fall to your death. The dry rot is so bad in places now that the floors and the roof will fall in any day now - its just a matter of time, and that's for sure. I will be amazed if it makes it though this winter there. We also took a camera with us and took lots of pictures of the place to help us do are quotes. If no work is started there very soon this place will fall to bits and will be a death trap to any young kids who want to go mess around in there.

I moved in to the nurses home to begin my training in January 1990 - and I vividly remember carrying my stuff up to room 69 from my car and listening to someone playing Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World" through an open window. I remember thinking how wonderful this was and how symbolic - and then some chap walked past me and hollared at the top of his voice "Oh, the mighty! How they have fallen!!!"

They should plough millions into this place and open it up again - from what I remember it has done more to help people with mental health issues than any of the current medications. If they could bottle Denbigh I think it would cost a lot more than that Risperdal Consta stuff.

All I can say that it is a real shame that this hospital that helped so many people in the area to feel well and give them a sense of belonging and that made them feel secure has gone. The replacement ward in Bodlewyddan, yes it is very good, but unfortunatley it does not house the same amount of people that Gwynfryn could, the local councils should get together and see what they can fund to re-open the hosipital and maybe they could get funding from the Welsh Assembly and the Lottery Fund. It really is a crying shame to see such a magnificent building and hospital go into this state of repair.

Email received from Irene Evans who now lives in Llandudno

Thank you so much for the DVDs. I've spent a lot of time today viewing one - had to keep pausing it to look at familiar faces! It brought back to me so many happy memories and I will treasure my copy. The other one is going to Viv and Gordon Reid in Australia who also worked at the hospital.
An added pleasure was that there were photographs of all three of us on the DVD!
Makes me sad though to think of the madness that caused the closure of such a fine hospital which helped so many people in so many ways. Also sadness because so many of the staff on the DVD are no longer with us.
I congratulate you, Clwyd and Dai for this recording because if you had not made the effort, these moments may have been lost forever.
Many, many thanks,
Irene

My grandfather James Innes (aka Jock) worked at theNorth Wales Hospital as a stoker from 1920 to 1928 and I believe played for the hospital football team. Unfortunately he met a tragic death in 1928 aged 37yrs. I have only one photo of him. He was a very keen and able sportsman competing in many local athletic events. could anyone please help with any information/stories or photos as I beleive he was quite a character!! Thankyou Stuart Innes-Davies

Thanks for that Keith. The one with the ? I think is Tony Pope's younger brother Ron and Bibs's brother is Wyn Jones. It is nice to hear from you. Have you got any good stories from your Stores days, Nurses Home or Football team or anything else that you can remember about the hospital? We would be interested in hearing them.

Missing names from photographs-58/59 Football team Emyr Lloyd(Apprentice electician0 He passed away at a very young age. Cricket team Top right Harry Roberts Ch N Ward 1A. 1975 Football team- ? Gwilym Pierce, Bibs brother, Derek Hughes(Rhewl)Clwyd W., Glenn Davies(visited me 2 years ago),Eric Williams. Front row-Melfyn Davies, Lala Edwards, Yours truly, Clifford Roberts, Fred the milk, ?Tony Pope. Hope this helps fill the blanks. If you still wantto borrow photos please let Arnold Ainslie know and I will gladly send the. Yours etc K>W>

My mother & father (Thomas Alfred and Flo Williams) were both nurses at the hospital since the late 1930's. Most of their friends were nursing staff and it sticks in my mind than whenever their friends were around at 66 Love Lane the conversation inevitably turned to hospital characters and events. I understood this better when, as a student, I worked there for two months and found that the place had its own surreal quality. It is sad to see the condition of the building and it obviouslyrequires some serious investment and imagination to come up with an alternative use.

On ebay at present there are 6 copies of a print by an artist called Howard Mitchell of the north wales Hospital, very cheap about £7, my brother has bought me one for my birthday in aug and ive had a sneaky look! and its very nice. The item code is 6604437373 or you can find it by putting North wales hospital in the ebay search engine

i thought planning had gone through for conversion, with such a need for housing every bit of this wonderful building should be kept, its a crown jewel of denbigh

My father and mother (Goronwy Lloyd Davies and Betty Davies) nursed at the hospital and I was so glad to find this website. Thank you, Clwyd, Dafydd and everyone else associated with this. It's important to keep the history alive. Dad was a charge nurse (EEG department from 1962 until he retired) and he nursed at "the mental" for more than 40 years. Mam was a sister and was in charge of Afallon from 1965 until she retired, and they met at the hospital in the late '30s. Uncle Arthur and Auntie Mair, and countless old family friends worked there, and it breaks my heart to see the place in such disrepair. It ought to be possible for someone to do something creative with the place. How about a museum in the old Nurses Home, with a bookshop and cafe? Walking and biking trails around the grounds? Football, cricket and tennis facilities for the town. I know most of the building is lost because of neglect and vandalism, but the old hospital is located in a beautiful area and it could be a wonderful resource for the town.

Learnt of this site yesterday - it was nice to see some old faces in the photographs - I have one or two myself from 68/69 taken at the Training School. Is there a link to be able to forward them to the site? I wish you every success with the Historical Society.
Cofion i bawb daethym i adnabod tra yn gweithio yn Ninbych.

I have just enjoyed looking at the photos and comments sent in from as far as CANADA and as near as my doorstep in Denbigh. What good times we had as well as working hard. So MANY GOOD MEMORIES triggerred by this website.

regarding photo of pts 1958. from l to r are olwen morris; vera wills;nerys haf jones. thearl??? diana richards, hazel jones and rose matthews these were their maiden names. love the web site keep up the good work

On behalf of the Library and Learning Centre, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor I would like to thank the historical society and publishers for their generosity in supplying us with a gratis copy of their book. The photographs, anecdotes and memoirs provide a fascinating insight into the life at the hospital and the attention to detail is impressive. On a personal note, being originally from Denbigh myself I am thrilled to see photographes of both my Taid (Sam Jones) Father ( R"Peter" Jones) and Uncle (" Noel" Jones) who all worked there until retirement.
Thank you once again.

Pamela Jones
Librarian
Ysbyty Gwynedd
Bangor

I would like to thank all those who came to the book launch last Saturday. It was a success and was very enjoyable. Dafydd is posting some new pictures on this site. Please contact us if you have any requests or stories about your time at the hospital which may go into the next book.

Thank you for the book launch yesterday.. I was unable to make it but my sister & dad came up to get my book & dvd.. Can't wait to have an hour to myself to read the book.. If there is any exhibitions coming up please let me know...

A very good site and many photographs of so many people I knew and worked with. It was sad to read of Penri's demise. He was surely one of natures gentlemen. Do I assume that the reprint of Clwyd's book ( I have two copies) will have additional photographs. I have pics of earlier times (50's-70's) I could send but they would have to be returned via Arnold Ainslie, That's all for now, yours etc. Keith Warburton (Supplies and Stores 1957-1975. Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Being an ex Denbighite born and bred and also an ex member of staff at the hospital after 18years of service in the works deptmartment as a painter & decorater,it shocks me to see the photos of the old place,all staff had good pride in the place and it was like one big happy family.Im glad a website such as this has been made so that ex staff can give their points of veiw and also that the youngsters of Denbigh and surounding ares can read about the history of the place as it has many happy memories for myself so many other people who worked there and moved away from Denbigh.

Saw a programme on the hospital on TV this week.
I have to say it has tremendous potential from a photographers point of view with its decayed buildings and lovely arches on the inside combined with the broken windows to give it a great look as a background setting for many pics i do.
Im always looking for different places and ideas and i do like the look of this place.
But at the same time being quite local to Denbigh myself i do feel a sense of sadness that such a once beautiful building has been allowed to go into such a bad state of repair

If you want to see more photographs, our book is being reprinted and will be available for sale in about 6 - 8 weeks. If you want to buy one please let us know.

Hello, recently i have become very intrested in this mental hospital and i have been reading up on it, does anyone know where i can maybe find blue prints and more pictures?

We have just received an enquiry from a person in Deeside asking if the hospital was haunted - I remember people talking about the 'Grey Lady' who was often 'seen' in the vicinity of the Hospital Church. Can any of the staff recall the origin of this tale or any other strange phenomena.

After leaving school in 1981, my first job was in the kitchens working with the legendery John Wynn, Clinton Hughes, Cliff Roberts, Bryn Roberts (killer), Mike Ridder and Roger Smith, the late Johnny Mallon was in charge. Happy days, great website

Congratulations on the 'birth' of the website. I hope it goes from strength to strength. I worked as a CPN (in Gwynedd) from 1984-90, and have fond recollections of my many trips to 'The Mental'...It was a long trip from Pwllheli to Denbigh for a ward round in winter !! I have a copy of the video and Clwyd's book, and would be interested in any future publications/ events planned. I'm sorry I missed the exhibition.
There are a few sites now reflecting the history of 'asylyms'....unfortunately much historical information has been lost in some places, quite often dumped in contractors skips.
Given the impact of NWH on the town and surrounding areas for many years, I think it is essential that every effort is made to retain a local permanent museum, good luck with that one Clwyd.
Llongyfarchiadau unwaith eto

my uncle trevor ogwen jones and auntie edith jones both worked at the hospital,both originally from corris.my uncle lives in denbigh and it was nice to see pictures of the hospital where they worked and had so many happy memories.

What a joy to visit this site. my mother and two sisters both worked there. Anna Lloyd Annegret and Helga I shall forward on this web site I'm sure they will enjoy it themselves.

I am attempting to locate a nurse who lived in Wrexham but, I believe, worked at the NWH in 1944/1945 time frame. Her name is Malin Pleavin. Is there a resource you could provide that might help me locate her or her decendants? Thank you very much.