Bursledon, The Hospital

The house was called Brixedene. My grandparents met and married while working for the Thistlethwaite family in 1930's My grandmother a parlor maid and my grandfather was the Chauffeur. My mother was born at Brixedene in 1939 while her parents were un service there.

I was at Bursledon hospital when I was about 8 or 9 yrs old . I stayed there for 3 months because of my asthma. I remember my parents taking me there and they couldn't visit me much during that time.

I was there in about 1973 for about 6 weeks. I was about 6 at the time and I’m 55 now. Looking at the comments on here and elsewhere it’s shocking how many, like me, have no idea why they were there! I don’t think anything bad happened but I don’t have the easiest of feelings about the place. I went back there today and had a walk around the grounds. What a surreal feeling. I wonder what buried memories might surface now.

I have only just discovered this site which came about after I randomly went past Burseldon Hall yesterday whilst travelling to Botley. This was a children's hospital when I was there with asthma , once when I was 9 ( about 1961 ) and another time when I was about 11 years old. I was transferred there from Winchester hospital I think. I had a lot of freedom there and used to
play and explore the grounds . I seem to recall a giant boot playhouse ( a nursery rhyme theme ) . I also remember the Southampton Football team visited and I played football with them , I have supported them ever since. The place was run on very Victorian lines ( I was once force fed fish stew ! ) but generally I was happy there. The downside was that my parents couldn't visit often due to the difficult journey for them.

I was here a few times in the 80s and 90s due to getting diabetes and the drs not knowing much, I loved it here the big stairs and toy room all the outside space I remember seeing the motorway and wondering where people were going didnt like the teacher but who did. I was there at the end and then in 90s I moved Into the new one which was horrible compared to this one

I remember this hospital. My nan was a nurse there. I lived not to far away. I remember going to the hospital with my nan as Father Christmas was visiting. I remember hearing the children, the excitement,. I recall the garden, very big, lots of freedom to run around. This was in the late 60s. I remember seeing photographs of my nan playing outside with the children, wearing her uniform and starched hat!

HI - I was also sent there at 13, after horrendous bullying at school and undiagnosed ADHD until I was 48, 4 years ago. I am writing a book and believe so many of us were there for emotional burnout and of course at that time none even knew about ADHD, OCD, Autism etc until after 2000 and would be keen to know if you realised you were neurodivergent?

Thanks
Mel
@theadhdhumingbird
mel@melsimslifecoach.co.uk