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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Cheshire => Topic started by: boney44 on Tuesday 17 March 09 11:39 GMT (UK)
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Hi everybody.
Only just found this site and registered to-day.
Could anyone give me any info on an institution called Crannage Hospital. (Macclesfield Borough), I have found out that my Uncle was placed in this hospital since a very early age. After talking to my father it turned out that he had some old VHS footage taken from a TV documentary screened in 1990 called Candle on the Hill, about an organization called Camphill.
It was a very interesting programme about the specialized treatment given to children afflicted with various mental disabilities. Whilst one patient was being interviewed my Uncle walked in and out of the room, this is the only time I have seen him apart from the time I was brought to the hospital at the time of his death.
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Hi, Boney. Cranage Hall Hospital is now closed. The majority of the residents have returned to the area in which they were born. I used to teach nursing and would visit Cranage when it was a huge operation. It had its own shop, school, recreation hall (with full size stage) industrial unit, laundry and other recreation facilities. The vast majority of the residents had learning difficulties.
The hospital employed whole families in the operation and I clearly remember speaking to nurses whose grandparents were the first to work at Cranage, with their parents also employed.
As you say, many residents spent their whole life there. Some residents worked on local farms and would be paid and they spent their wages in the shop or went for a drink in one of the local pubs. The hospital was just on the outskirts of Holmes Chapel. The site is now mainly residential housing. I am sure someone who lives in or around Holmes Chapel will be able to tell you more about Cranage if you insert it in the subject of your post along side Mental Hospital/Homes.
If the medical records survive then they will have been placed with the Cheshire Archives.
Regards and Good Luck
Kathb
Moderator comment: Topic split and title amended. :)
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Hi,
My Aunt was a residence here from roughly pre 1973 (the year I was born - don't know when she was placed there) to it's closure (think early 90's). I used to visit every Saturday with my mum and grandparents. As from the perspective of a child - a scary and odd place. All levels of disabilities thrown together. My Aunt now lives in a house cared for by staff. We used to pinic by the large manor house and lake. I have several photo's of the place ableit with family members on. I remember the dorms and the tea room (think post war prefab building not very inviting).
If you want to know anything please email me.
Regards
Tansy
P.S The records are held at Cheshire with the 30 year closure rule but as your Uncle was a patient (as my Aunt) maybe they would let you have access?? I'm going to try to see if I can get copies of my Aunt's.
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Could Knutsford Local History Society help?
K
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Hi Everyone
Can anyone help does anyone know about women in service at Cranage Hospital a maid to the doctors and their familys
Thanks Karen
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Hello Karen, welcome to Rootschat. Do you have any dates, names etc for the maid? Also what do you already know, we could then try to help.
Regards
Kathb
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The records are held at Cheshire with the 30 year closure rule
That's interesting, at least that's a viable time to wait. Manchester Archives use a 100 year closure rule. ???
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Hi
When I was at Rudheath Secondary School we used to go to Cranage Hospital on community service. It was a rather scary place for a 15 year old, but also very rewarding helping the patients. I worked in the education department helping the teachers and assisting the kids with painting / music activities etc. It may be worth you writing to the Northwich/Knutsford Guardian regarding your search for information. Many people who worked at the Hospital live in those area's and would try and help you.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/details.asp?id=1648&page=15
Rgs Mike
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If you do a google image search for 'carla randle cranage' you will find forms required under the various Mental Health Acts for concerning patients at Cranage.
Well worth a look.
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I worked at Cranage Hall Hospital for 14 years, up to its closure. If you want to know anything and I can help you I will reply in private.
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Can you send me your email address
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I am trying to find out what happened to a disabled auntie of mine , her name was Monica Kenyon , I think she was sent to Cranage Hall Hospital in the early 1950s. I would love to find her resting place , does any one have any idea on how I could go about this, many thanks
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Hello, Nanabanjo
Will this question qualify as my third post, I would like to contact you with a question about my Uncle, Wilfred Day who was a patient at Cranage up to his death in 1990.
regards
tony.
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Hello, I was wondering if you could help? My great great uncle was placed into the asylum at a young age.. And wasn't released til it closed and he was 60. His name was Gilbert Montague or possibly Aldridge ... I'm trying to trace back in my family to look for signs of autism. Many thanks in advance.
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To all who worked at Cranage hospital I worked there from 1973 to 1987 and trained there very good fun working with lovely people
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Hello all.
I have just looked at the 1939 register trying to find my relatives at the outbreak of ww2
. My grandmother gladys moss (whittaker) was a patient in cranage hall in 1939. The family story goes that my great grandfather remarried after my great grandmothers death and his new wife didn't like my grandmother so sent her off to an institution.
We always thought this was parkside in Macclesfield.
Anyway apart from a slight lisp i dont think there was anything wrong with gladys. On the 1939 register it says that she was mentaly defective and unfit for work although she became a nurse in the 1940's and married my grandfather.
For anyone who's interested i have a list of patients (all woman) in 1939 and a list of the staff.
Regards Mark
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Kathb my nans name was Elsie Sweeney patient but the birth date is wrong on Crange residents
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Dear MillyMoo
I was an intern at Cranage Hall in 1981, on Beech Up (ward) and recall a gentleman named Gilbert (I think Montague) being on our ward. I have very little knowledge of his condition, certainly now. I don't recall seeing him there when I return 10 years later.
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Can someone (e.g. nanabanjo) please tell me the exact date of closure of Cranage Hall Hospital? I know that the closure was planned in March 1995. Did it actually take place then, or was it delayed?
Also can someone please confirm that Wrenbury Hostel housed patients with learning disabilities (mental handicap), not psychiatric disorders?
Information needed for an exhibition display panel! Many thanks
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I have just spoken to a friend who was a nurse at Cranage for some years. She has checked with an ex colleague (Sarah) Cranage closed at the end of March 1995. Sarah said she switched the lights out on the way out. Hope this helps.
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Thank you very much!
The exhibition is at Nantwich Museum from July 19th until October.
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Hi,
Very happy to join the group. I'm here to enquire about my uncle Allen Rowbotham (1891-1965) and his time at Cranage Hall Hospital. I can't find him on the 1939 Register and all the details I have are on his public wikitree profile - https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Rowbotham-347 (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Rowbotham-347)
My understanding is that the hospital only took male patients from 1948 and I am also trying to establish where Allen was before he was committed there. Any suggestions would be most welcome.
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Here is Allen Rowbotham in the 1950s
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Cranage Hall Hospital, Cheshire
Historic England Archives, BF102135
The Hall and estate were acquired by Cheshire County Council in 1932. The Hall became the admin offices. 1932-8 seven standard villas, mostly of two storeys, school and workshops added. Times Article from 1998 about its history and conversion to a conference centre at that time,
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Hi Phil,
There is an Alan Rowbotham on the 1939 register at Moss Side State Institution Maghull,Nr Liverpool,he is listed as an inmate. Date of birth 19th December 1890. May or maybe not be your man but worth taking a look.
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Hi Phil,
There is an Alan Rowbotham on the 1939 register at Moss Side State Institution Maghull,Nr Liverpool,he is listed as an inmate. Date of birth 19th December 1890. May or maybe not be your man but worth taking a look.
Thank you Jo, that find is much appreciated - I think he is almost certainly my uncle Allen. I have contacted a recent project about the institution to see if I can get more info about his time there.
https://www.mmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/story/6535/ (https://www.mmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/story/6535/) Here is a photo from the story
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Good luck Phil, sounds very interesting.
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Good luck Phil, sounds very interesting.
;)
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Phil, I have sent you a message.
Regards KathB