Mapperley Hospital was opened in 1880. By 1930 in addition to medical and nursing care, patients were not only provided food and shelter, but also work, exercise, entertainment. There were Sports Days and the site had a cricket field and football pitches.
A Self Sufficient Community
It had its own gardens, a farm and a church. The farm buildings were first occupied in 1898. They had cows, pigs, and poultry. The land was also used to grow potatoes and other vegetables. It was almost self-sufficient.
Not only was the farm supplying food, it also provided work for male patients and their attendants. Haymaking was popular, as it meant overtime pay for the staff and extra comforts for the patients. Others worked in the gardens, the greenhouses, the bakery and the kitchens. Tradesmen such as plumbers, carpenters, bricklayers and decorators, all had one or two patients to assist them. This extra responsibility meant they were paid slightly more than the normal wage rate.
The tailors shop made staff uniforms and did alterations to patients clothing. Suitable female patients assisted in the sewing room and in the laundry. In addition to repairing boots and shoes the cobbler made all the slippers.
Rare Film Footage
Many thanks to Martin Sarsfield for uploading to You Tube this cine-camera footage from Mapperley Hospital and St Anns Hospital in the 1930s.
The video is 25 minutes long and has no sound. Much of the footage is from the Sports Days of those years. It also shows that the football and cricket fields.
To assist the viewer, here are the approximate times of sections of footage that may be of interest.
At 8 m 20, it shows the Sports Day in 1938 and use of the new sports pitches.
At 12 m, it shows a camping trip to Aston Hall in Aston on Trent, Derbyshire. Aston Hall is an 18th-century country house that became a psychiatric hospital in 1930. It is now converted to residential apartments and is a Grade II listed building.
At 13 m, it shows the new St Anns Hospital, further down Porchester Road.
At 14 m 45s, it shows the views over The Wells Road.
At 17 m, it shows the Medical Superintendent (Dr Brunton) with his dog.
At 20 m, it shows the Sports Day of 1937. Staff can be seen taking part in races such as the sack race, 3-legged race, hoop race and skipping race. Nurses also take part in an enthusiastic game of musical chairs.
For more information about the history of Mapperley Hospital, go to Hospitals History.