"As little Susan Bradley, aged six, I left my family and went with other children from Manchester by charabanc to the Dr Garrett Home, spending Christmas 1953 there. As we approached Conwy, the castle was pointed out to me; I'd never seen one before. The memories are as vivid today as they ever were. On arrival we were given clothes to wear that were not as nice as the ones my mother had sent me in. The brown overcoat had a big patch across the front and when my parents came to visit me they were very surprised but realised that it was necessary so that I could go home at the end of my six week stay with my own clothes none the worse for wear.
The first week was spent in bed in a sunshine ward facing onto the play area at the back of the house where I saw the other children playing and where I would play for the following weeks. After my first week I was allocated my new sleeping place, a chalet. There was a gated area of wooden chalets at the back of the big house and to the left. Each chalet doorway had a wooden half-door at the bottom and a canvas curtain for the top half. On either side of the door as you walked in was a single bed and mine was on the left. When I go to garden centres nowadays and see the little chalet playhouses they always remind me of Conwy.
I felt very lucky to be sharing my chalet with a good-hearted older girl who, as luck would have it, lived only a few streets away from me in Manchester and she was kind to me . There was no heater but on some occasions one of the beds would have a stone hot water bottle in it and whoops of glee would go up as my chalet friend and I shared it. You have to remember that this was December and in those days winters WERE COLD. Funnily, though,being cold was never a big deal; after all none of us had central heating then.
When we were taken for a walk we would cross over the road to the woods opposite the house and walk through them towards the harbour. I clearly remember the carer/nurse taking us to the smallest house in Britain. It was on one of these jaunts through the woods that the nurse found a tree stump to sit on and as we gathered around her she asked us all what we would like for Christmas. She must have taken notes or had a very good memory as I asked for a doll and, come Christmas morning, that was my present. My doll was second hand, about ten inches in length with very scratched cheeks and was dressed in a maroon knitted dress, bonnet and pants. I loved her instantly and called her Rose-Marie; where I dragged the name up from, I don't know. I clearly remember Father Christmas at the party held in the hall at the back of the playground and we danced 'The Lambeth Walk' and listened to the George Formby record 'I'm Leaning on the Lamp Post at the Corner of the Street.
In later years the eating arrangements may have changed but when I was there the dining area was to the right of the house, not in it, I don't think. We sat at, what seemed to me then, two long tables and after our meals we were each called to the front to be given our spoonful of sticky malt from a huge jar. I quite liked the malt and on my return home my mother bought me some.
A few years ago my husband took it into his head to take me back to Conwy to try to find the Dr Garrett Home and from my description was able to pinpoint the house for himself. The old institution gates are still to be seen at the side of the building. With the help of a thoughtful librarian we were also directed to the local cemetery where Dr Garrett's grave is marked with a child monument.
That my memories are so vivid and happy are clear indications of the impact my time at the home had on me.
Thank you Dr Garrett and those others who worked there."
Return to Brian Gregson's memories...
your comments
Karone Warburton, Manchester
I was at dr garrets in the 80s every year for 4 to 6 weeks at a time with my sisters. I remember us all being heartbroken leaving our parents at the town hall but it never took long for us all to make friends on the coach and look forward to what a great experience we were all going to have again.
I loved the walks we had to the park past the cows and then to conway castle.
We all had to queue up to get some pocket money when we were going out. Ribena always reminds me of being there cos that's the drink we had with our packed lunch on days out. Rice Krispies also remind me of being there as we had a cup full each for breakfast. The games we played in the huts, the discos, learning to knit with the older carers, being allowed in Penguins and Bod Heulog, the path to the castle with the small wall, long hikes up the hills, going to aunt alice's house and the suppers we had all sat in the kitchen.
I remember being really good at the skipping competitions we had in the garden near the sheds. It was such a lovely place to be and I loved every minute of being there.
Mon Jun 8 10:15:35 2009
Christine Watts, Hulme, Manchester
I was very fortunate to have visited Dr Garrets twice, when I was seven (1954 and 1955). I have very happy memories. My baby brother came the second time. I remember watching the kids playing from our window in the isolation dorm, they used to give us chicken soup, which was foul, (forgive the pun). We used to throw it out the window. The second time I had a Chalet which they could turn around to face the sun. Happy days.
Tue May 5 10:09:29 2009
Marie Garth from Manchester
Me and my brothers and sisters were blessed to go four or five years running, always for six weeks at a time. I recall that every day we went somewhere after first collecting a plastic bag with our lunch in. We went horse riding, grass sleighing, rock climbing, the Smallest House, castles, treasure hunts, to name a few. My favourite auntie had her own horse and those of us who had been well behaved got to go with her to see it. We made lots of friends there and some of us got boyfriends/girlfriends. We used to try to sneak to the boys' dorm but the staff caught us every time. Thank you Dr Garrett. Having that break gave me some of my happiest childhood memories.
Thu Mar 19 11:22:03 2009
Jennie from Conwy
I worked in Dr Garrett's in 1955 till 1957, left to get married and lived away for six years came back to live in Conwy and worked in Garrett's I love every miniute of it. I worked most of the time with the teenagers, we had so much fun and everyone was so happy. It was a very sad day when Dr Garrett's closed. Thank you children for giving me the best job satisfaction that any one could have we had so much fun every one was so happy. I have had a few children visit me since it has closed.
Tue Dec 30 09:25:37 2008
Kath Davies (Aunty Kath)
I worked at Dr G's between the 1960s and 80s. Does anyone remember me?
Mon Dec 29 10:40:05 2008
Elizabeth from Manchester
I was at this home for 7 weeks in May and June 1961. I had no idea quite how many other children had been fortunate enough to spend time at Conwy. I too think back to that 'holiday' with special memories. I enjoyed the walks down country lanes and learning to play shove ha'penny. I have just found some letters my Mum kept that I had written while I was there and they brought memories flooding back. We were all very fortunate that such a place existed and that we have such fond memories of the kindness shown by the staff during our stay.
Mon Aug 4 14:31:20 2008
Julie Browne, Oxford
I just happened to be thinking of Dr G's this morning and wondered if anything is online. Amazing to discover this website, thank you.I worked at Dr Garrett's from Sept 1978 to Nov 1983 and loved every moment.
Mon Jun 23 09:50:46 2008
John Brown, Miles Platting (Now Ashton)
Just before Easter in 1967 my sister Patty and myself were sent to Dr Garrett's. We were not told why we were going but went on a charabanc and stayed for about 6 weeks. I remember all the children who cried at night time who missed their parents, including myself. We thought we had been sent there because we had been naughty. After a short time we got used to it. I remember we had to take our shoes to the shed and wear plimsoles instead. I also remember a really nice old chap whom I think was called Mr Tucker who used to sit their all evening and polish our shoes. At Easter the washing machine factory (Hotpoint) donated loads of Easter eggs for us all. I also remember a little Irish girl and her sister, and when the carer used to coax her enough she used to sing the Black Velvet band for us. A group of us went around Conwy Castle and another group went to Danger Point. I also won the sack race in a sports day event. It was certainly an experience, but I was also glad to go home.
Mon Jul 23 09:33:34 2007
alan nixon manchester, now wirral
Thanks Tracy Daley, I will be looking up the artist shop in Conwy to hopefully buy a picture of the original houses. It is amazing that i spent 6 weeks at Dr Garretts in 1974, 34 years ago and i still have brilliant and emotional memories, i always go to the area at least twice a year just to remember and go back to the great days in my mind, Mr Gregson any news on a reunion? where can we post and see photos? Thanks for the wonderful memories Dr Garrett and all the staff.
Mon Jul 2 10:04:53 2007
jason jones wythenshawe
Does anyone have any pictures from the kids who were there in the 80s? I was there with me brother. we loved it, we did not want to go home. still talk about it to this day. i was in the penguin house, loved conwy castle and grass sledging, the smallest house in britain and crabbing. the food was so nice, it was a massive change to our lives we had back in manchester.
Mon Mar 12 09:16:29 2007
Gail Mullen from Manchester
Well what can I say, but that the place was a safe haven for us kids! We absolutely loved going there every year and remember so much the vaccination and tests done at the town hall before stepping on the bus to Conwy. I was fortunate to go a few times with my brother and sister. The place was fantastic and really felt like home. The white houses are a place that will stay in our memories forever. I have taken my children to see the place and I know that it's not there now but memories can never be erased. Thanks to all the wonderful people that worked there all over the years. I appreciate you all so much.
Mon Apr 24 08:49:13 2006
Gail from Manchester
I was there around 1970 and early 80s. I went every year for 4 to 6 weeks, I loved it and have very fond memories. I went there from the age of 9 to 15, the staff we called uncles and aunties - anyone who did go there would know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm nearly 41 now, how I wish I was that age again, they were all so loving and caring. What a wonderful place.
Sat Mar 4 23:21:54 2006
Tracey Daley from Manchester
I can't believe that after all this time I've found people who remember the old place. I went there as a child and teenager from the mid seventies up until about 1982. I went every year with my younger sister, and I absolutely loved it, my fondest memory was when we did the Al Jolson show, it was fantastic. I went back last year with my own children and there were new houses in its place, I don't know why but it felt like a bereavment. I took a walk around the wall that led to the smallest house and all the memories came flooding back, we took some photos and then went to the artists shop in the town. I think it was the only one, anyway they have an oil painting there of the three big white houses that were so prominent at the time - they're around £60, well worth it. It's lovely to read your comments.
Wed Mar 1 20:04:59 2006
Paul Hesketh from Manchester
I was there in the mid 70s even though I was very young at the time I can still remember the wooden out buildings with the stable doors and the main house felt as big as Conway Castle itself. I don't remember the names of any of the staff,but one man who worked there had a small boat in the harbour called the Drake. Garrett's was a fantastic place for both ill children and kids like me who needed a break from life in manchester, it's a great shame that it's not there anymore. I know it helped me and thousands of other kids, thank you Dr garrett.
Sun Oct 16 09:41:22 2005
