Bedford, Infirmary 1897
Photo ref: 39937
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Photo ref: 39937
Photo of Bedford, Infirmary 1897

More about this scene

The old Infirmary, designed by John Wing and opened in 1803, fronted Ampthill Road; it was later expanded to be the Bedford General Hospital (South Site). Founded with a bequest from Samuel Whitbread, it had fifty beds - and a budget of £50 a year for leeches. In 1899, two years after this view was taken, it was replaced by fiery red brick and terra cotta buildings; its site is now occupied by an uninspiring Accident and Emergency building opened in 1964. It is a sad loss to the architectural heritage of the town.

An extract from Bedford Photographic Memories.

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Bedford Photographic Memories

Bedford Photographic Memories

The photo 'Bedford, Infirmary 1897' appears in this book.

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A Selection of Memories from Bedford

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Bedford

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I was evacuated to Bedford in 1939 aged 7 and stayed first of all with a Mrs Drake ,the wife of a captain Drake who was in command of a ship called the Warspite. I remember it was off Goldington rd. by the school where all the evacuees were taken and sat around the central hall to be selected and billeted with various families. Mrs Drake had a housemaid and I remember the air raid sirens sounding at 11.00 am ...see more
My mother used to work at a factory called "proper pride" making lingerie does anyone remember it I think it was in mile road, it would be lovely to hear from anyone who knew it. My mother was called maria longo
In 1956 when I was 17 years old my brother in law built a sailing boat but neither if us had ever sailed. We took the boat on a trailer to "Kelpie's" yard on the river Ouse at Great Barford near to Bedford and were soon leaning the skills of gybing until a late gybe left us stranded in reeds. I was the lucky one having been elected to enter the water to clear a way (picture Humphry Bogart in African Queen). ...see more
I spent many a happy afternoons here , watching film's . Beautiful old place , so sad when they tore it down . It was supposed to be a listed building , thank's BB Council , they also pulled down the old Granada, which was also ' a Listed building !!!! It was also in a lovely setting by the river , i miss those days ...