Denbigh Library & Denbigh Market Hall Exhibitions

DENBIGH LIBRARY - September 05

An exhibition looking at the history of the North Wales Hospital, Denbigh opened at the town's library on September 3.
The "Beyond the Asylum: North Wales Hospital and its communities" exhibition explored the building's history from 1848-1995, drawing upon the rich archive information held at Denbighshire's Record Office and a collection of objects looked after by Denbighshire Heritage Service.

The exhibition focused on the Hospital at work and play, taking into account the experiences of staff and patients, treatments given and the social and recreational life of the Hospital.
Denbighshire's Heritage Service worked closely with members of the North Wales Hospital History Group, made up largely of former staff, to bring this exhibition to Denbigh.

A familiar sight on the 'Male Side' during the 60's and 70's - a white coat worn by male staff - a plain blue epaulettes denoted a Staff Nurse, blue with two stars - Charge Nurse whilst the S.E.N. wore green epaulettes. Student Nurses had yellow epaulettes with a bar denoting each year of training.

Visitors sampled the work of artist Rachel Gadsden. She is seen in the company of J.D.Williams and Arthur Davies.

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One of Rachel's paintings entitled 'Birhday Party'

MARKET HALL - April 05
An exhibition was held at the Market Hall in Denbigh as part of the BBC Community Project 'Here for You'. It gave the Society an opportunity to aquire more photographs and information about the Hospital. The BBC staff scanned photographs during the event and some of the retired staff were interviewed by Radio Wales.


LEFT. Eddie Thomas (Rhyl) who started his administrative career at the Hospital

Arthur Davies, John David Williams (Charge Nurses), and D.O. Williams who started his nursing career at Denbigh before being appointed full time Officer with Confederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE).
D.O. as he's known, retired as General Secretary before the union amalgamated with NUPE which has since become UNISON

Dr Gwyn Thomas sharing a joke with Clwyd and Dai Bryn