Virago
New member
Hello folks, this is my first post, half taken from my blog, so I hope you enjoy reading.
Exploration of Graylingwell Hospital
Graylingwell asylum in Chichester was opened in 1897 to deal with the increasing burden of patients at Haywards Heath’s Sussex County Asylum and to provide West Sussex county with its own facility for the mentally ill. Built on the grounds of an old farm the hospital was almost completely self-sufficient, including its own chapel, farmland and gardens cared for by the inmates, a power and heating plant, and water tower.
Perhaps because of its freshly built structures or establishment so close to the advent of more modern day treatments such as psychoanalytical theory, Graylingwell is reported as an orderly and reputable institution of the day, although not sufficiently ethical by our standards. Able bodied patients worked the lands in exchange for luxuries, and recreational activities were offered to the patients, with the main hall serving for fetes, dances and film viewings. During its time the hospital expanded to incorporate several new wards, including a battle neurosis unit and tuberculosis ward, and also served as a WW1 military hospital. The Observer commented during the 1960’s of its home comforts for patients and encouragement of occupation therapies and outdoor activities.
Graylingwell closed in 2001 and gradually derelict after 2009, however construction began in 2012 to turn many buildings into flats and offices and the area is now called the Graylingwell estate or something similar .
I visited Graylingwell in the Spring of 2012, unfortunately reconstruction had already begun on many the buildings but I managed to explore a few and take some photographs. My first impression was that it did not outwardly cry of the possible darkness of its past, but there was a definite feeling of isolation in the huddle of red brick houses encased with trees.
The buildings were all empty of furniture and had mostly been stripped bare of the original fittings such as windows and doors, letting in more light and air than would have once been present.
The tiled hallways felt clinical, even in their dusty unkempt state, and had small tiled rooms, probably bathrooms, leading off from them. This was a contrast from the main rooms, which I took for dormitories, and were airy and bright with sunlight.
This pink room was a bit of a mystery.
And the messages left by builders didn’t deduct from the sense of discomfort.
The tunnels below the building were obviously the most eerie. They didn’t lead anywhere so my most hopeful guess is that they were used for storage.
Some had small extensions to outside or small cubby holes indented in the wall.
Treasure
I found two items to steal away. Looking at them now they seem out of place in my room, with a strange sense of obsolete function and a magic of olden days.
This is small metal wheel which was left in the rubble. At the top there is an arrow and some letters which I can only make out as LORS, I don’t know what that means but it looks like it could be part of a radiator. In its symmetry, robustness and strength I find it such a beautiful and mysterious object.
And this peeled strip of floral wallpaper that had been covered for who knows how long. Its dusty and faded and feels like its seen many things. A little eerie really, apart from making a small range of morbid greetings cards I’m not quite sure what to do with it.IMG_7146
Exploration of Graylingwell Hospital
Graylingwell asylum in Chichester was opened in 1897 to deal with the increasing burden of patients at Haywards Heath’s Sussex County Asylum and to provide West Sussex county with its own facility for the mentally ill. Built on the grounds of an old farm the hospital was almost completely self-sufficient, including its own chapel, farmland and gardens cared for by the inmates, a power and heating plant, and water tower.
Perhaps because of its freshly built structures or establishment so close to the advent of more modern day treatments such as psychoanalytical theory, Graylingwell is reported as an orderly and reputable institution of the day, although not sufficiently ethical by our standards. Able bodied patients worked the lands in exchange for luxuries, and recreational activities were offered to the patients, with the main hall serving for fetes, dances and film viewings. During its time the hospital expanded to incorporate several new wards, including a battle neurosis unit and tuberculosis ward, and also served as a WW1 military hospital. The Observer commented during the 1960’s of its home comforts for patients and encouragement of occupation therapies and outdoor activities.
Graylingwell closed in 2001 and gradually derelict after 2009, however construction began in 2012 to turn many buildings into flats and offices and the area is now called the Graylingwell estate or something similar .
I visited Graylingwell in the Spring of 2012, unfortunately reconstruction had already begun on many the buildings but I managed to explore a few and take some photographs. My first impression was that it did not outwardly cry of the possible darkness of its past, but there was a definite feeling of isolation in the huddle of red brick houses encased with trees.
The buildings were all empty of furniture and had mostly been stripped bare of the original fittings such as windows and doors, letting in more light and air than would have once been present.
The tiled hallways felt clinical, even in their dusty unkempt state, and had small tiled rooms, probably bathrooms, leading off from them. This was a contrast from the main rooms, which I took for dormitories, and were airy and bright with sunlight.
This pink room was a bit of a mystery.
And the messages left by builders didn’t deduct from the sense of discomfort.
The tunnels below the building were obviously the most eerie. They didn’t lead anywhere so my most hopeful guess is that they were used for storage.
Some had small extensions to outside or small cubby holes indented in the wall.
Treasure
I found two items to steal away. Looking at them now they seem out of place in my room, with a strange sense of obsolete function and a magic of olden days.
This is small metal wheel which was left in the rubble. At the top there is an arrow and some letters which I can only make out as LORS, I don’t know what that means but it looks like it could be part of a radiator. In its symmetry, robustness and strength I find it such a beautiful and mysterious object.
And this peeled strip of floral wallpaper that had been covered for who knows how long. Its dusty and faded and feels like its seen many things. A little eerie really, apart from making a small range of morbid greetings cards I’m not quite sure what to do with it.IMG_7146
