Smallpox hospital near Annfield Plain

[Foffie]

My father contracted smallpox as a child in 1925 and he used to talk about being in a hospital with red glass windows.  He lived in Annfield Plain at the time and I wonder if anyone can tell me which hospital he was likely to have been in.

Thank you!
Foffie

[taffie01]

Hi Foffie,

according to  www.derwentside.com/the consett story/chapter five

in 1882 the Leadgate isolation was built at Villa Real to cater for smallpox etc. and was renamed Villa Real isolation hospital after WW1.

however, this one is more likely to be relevant as it is about a mile away from Annfield Plain;
Howdon Bank (Maiden Law) Smallpox hospital at Mawesfield, Maiden Law, nr. Lanchester.

sorry cant help with red windows but hope this helps.

taffie

[Foffie]

Brilliant!  Thanks very much, taffie 

Foffie

[taffie01]

just thinking, perhaps they were stained glass windows!

glad to be of help.

cheers
taffie

[stanmapstone]

There was a smallpox epidemic in Durham in 1925, and he could have been in any hospital. This is in the Hartlepool Mail - Friday 29 May 1925
Smallpox Accomodation
With reference to smallpox accomodation in the county, a letter was read from Dr. T. Eustace Hill, Medical Officer of Health for the County of Durham, giving the resolutions of the conference of medical officers of health and medical officers of smallpox hospitals, held in Durham, the principal resolution being one recommending the smallpox authorities in the county to enter into a pooling arrangement, by which smallpox patients from any district in which the smallpox hospital beds were fully occupied, could be at once admitted into a hospital of another district where beds might at the time be available.

Stan

[Foffie]

Thanks, Stan, this is interesting.  I didn't realise there had been an epidemic.  When I read Taffie's reference to Maiden Law this rang a bell.  I'm sure I heard my father mention Maiden Law.  I just can't remember in what context!

Foffie