The Hall c1955, Bretby
The Hall c1955, Bretby Ref: B768301
Memories of The Hall c1955, Bretby
Rose Cottage
Bretby was 'discovered' by my dad who liked to vary his route in Ashby to work at Burton Girls' Grammar School. Bretby is not exactly the-land-that-time-forgot, but it is a delightfully unspoilt oasis, despite its proximity to Burton-on-Trent. Rose Cottage was a dilapidated house in the middle of the village, near the Green. The house was originally the blacksmith's house, and it was next the old forge, which was a derelict shell of a building then.
My mum and dad took on the house and turned it into a home. Rose Cottage still has doors which my dad re-built, which have the original hinges made by the old blacksmith. There are exposed beams in the sitting room, and quirky features in the floors. But the most obvious change in the house is the garden. My dad, with my mum's help, planned and re-landscaped a sloping garden into a series of terraces, inspired by Capability Brown's principles. His now-failing health prevents him from working in the garden now - but be... Read more
Bretby Hall Hospital
My name is Brian Spray and I first saw Bretby Hall when I was 4 years old. I contracted Infantile Paralisis (Polio) in 1944 and was referred to see the lady doctor who practiced at Bretby, Dr Greason and Mr Lund. I spent 6 months on my first visit in 1948 and another 6 months in 1951. My next visit was in 1955, again 6 months. My last visit to stay was a year later in 1956, again another 6 months, in this stay I took my eleven plus. School was provided for a few hours a day and other activities to keep us busy ie pottery and basket making and painting. We had our own record player in the library. Every couple of weeks there was a concert or a picture show in the main hall. Every morning no matter what the weather we were pushed outside so the wards could be cleaned, we had a morning drink outside, coffee in summer and Bovril in winter. I have no... Read more
Bretby & local memories
Read and share memories of Bretby and Staffordshire inspired by Frith photos.
Nursing at Bretby Hall
I was nursing at Bretby from about 1951 for a couple of years. Does anyone have any news of Jim Ruddock and Marie? I lost touch a long time ago. I believe they went to Canada.
We used to have concerts in the Hall, we also had dances in one of the large rooms and there was a tennis court. So, a busy social life, but we had to work very hard too!
Joyce
