Will patients be turning in their graves as Denbigh Hospital hosts TV's Most Haunted?
Post categories: Denbigh, Denbighshire, History & Memories, Hot Topics, Music / Entertainment, Ruthin
| 12:32 UK time, Thursday, 16 October 2008
Whether you're a believer or not, it's one thing to try and summon the spirits of a long forgotten age, but what will former Denbigh Hospital patients, staff and their families make of TV's Most Haunted team hosting live seances on site during Halloween?
Whatever your feelings, free tickets are being offered for the show [Oct 25-31] which, says the Evening Leader, is being billed as Denbigh 'The Village of the Damned'.
True, the hospital began life in 1844 when treatment was a world away from the conditions it would have used by the time it closed in 1995. Electro-Convulsive Treatment (ECT) was used for the first time in 1941, but by 1968 the first community psychiatric nurse was appointed at Denbigh.
And to this day the strong sense of community that sprung up in and around the hospital still remains. It first became apparent to us when we started gathering people's memories and their hopes for the site's future.
Also, North Wales Hospital Historical Society was set up to become the main archive for the hospital, formed mainly by ex-staff.
Perhaps some people will think it too soon to host an entertainment programme on this site. Whatever the outcome, it's sure to be atmospheric with such an imposing building.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~18~RS~)
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i am absolutely appalled that the TV program Most Haunted is going to be filming from the closed hospital.
I feel this is very insensitive to the people and families who came into contact with this service.
Yet again glorifying mental health issues and continuing to create a stigma around mental health.
I really am sad that this is being allowed. the hospital only closed in 1995, and there will be many families around the country who still have sad and painful memories of the hospital, i am appalled that the program producers are allowing people on the show to be placed in straightjackets and in an old padded cell.... to see if they sense anything.... God, nothing like a stereotype eh??!!! I for one will be making official complaints to Living Tv and the local MP and ensuring that all the mental health charities are aware of this awful idea on entertainment!
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Denbigh Hospital doesn't have a padded cell... do they plan to make their own..?
The money would be better spent on preserving the buildings than perpetuating daft superstitions...
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