Cow Hey - 13 Trip to Prestwich

 

May 2nd arrived before we knew it, and putting on our best clothes, Mrs. Allsop and I got into the trap at 7.45 a.m., and Mr. Allsop drove us up to Glossop Road, and then down into Marple Bridge and turning right, we went up a very steep hill turning in at last at Marple Station.

Marple is a much bigger station than Rosehill had been. There was a fine and lofty glass and iron canopy over the general waiting room and the ladies' waiting room so we would be able to wait under cover if it rained - which is was very unlikely to do, as it was a fine day. We crossed over the bridge to be on Platform 1. The glass roof of the canopy was supported by a double row of white painted cast iron columns, decorated with a sort of leaf and dog tooth ornament at the top. There were two letters intertwined, S and M. I didn't know what that meant, but later when I asked Fred he said it was for Sheffield and Midland. There were many others waiting for the train and as we were early, I took Mrs. Allsop into the ladies waiting room so she could have a comfortable seat.

Our six wheeler train finally arrived promptly at 8.10. It was a Lincolnshire, Sheffield and Midland train, and we were told by the conductor that it would call at Guide Bridge, and would take about 40 minutes to get to London Road. We had got 2nd class tickets. The fares were reckoned on a penny a mile - and our journey to New Manchester Central Station - 15 miles away, cost us each 1s 3d for each leg of the journey. From Manchester to Prestwich, we only had to pay 4 pence each way, as it is somewhat closer. We rushed to get on the train and managed to get upholstered seats next to each other, fairly near the front of the train. I wanted this experience to involve more than just going to see about my father. The trip itself should be something worth remembering and we wanted good seats.

We weren't disappointed in the view. As we pulled out of the station, we were going along the canal, and soon a huge viaduct came into view - quite an amazing feat of engineering. We the went through a long tunnel, and Mrs. Allsop grasped my hand tightly, as she was very frightened by suddenly being shunted into the dark. But it only lasted a few seconds, and we were out again. The journey took us along fields and between hills.

When we arrived at New Manchester Central station, it was absolutely huge - nine train lines in all. When the station opened it consisted of a magnificent arched single-span roof, constructed by Andrew Handyside & Co. The dimensions of the arch at Manchester Central were 210 feet wide, 550 feet long and 90 feet high at the highest point. The frame itself weighed 2,400 tons and was covered using a combination of slate and glass. Underneath the roof there were six platform faces, four of which were situated on two island platforms.

The platforms were served by nine tracks, the extra lines being used by engines to run around their trains. The running lines and platforms were above street level, and beneath them were huge brick-built caverns that could be used to store goods. The lines exited the station via some very heavily engineered bridges and viaducts that carried the line down to Cornbrook where the Liverpool, Heaton Mersey and Chester lines separated. For the public the main entrance to the station was at the Windmill Street end. At the time of opening wooden buildings provided all of the usual facilities including the main booking office. These facilities were meant to be a temporary measure, as it was intended that a hotel to be constructed would form a grand frontage to the station. A large clock face was provided on the inside and on the outside of the station.

However, we knew that as it was Saturday, we had to come via this route, rather than taking a train from Marple to Victoria Station. So we got on a bus outside the station and went a mile of so up the main street of Manchester, looking at the shops and hotels en route.

Having arrived in Manchester at just after 9, we got to Victoria Station at 9.45, and our train for Prestwich was due to leave at 10.15. It was the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway line that we used this time, and our train stopped only three times en route - at Cheetham Hill, Crumsall, Heaton Park, and then arrived at Bury Road South Station in Prestwich. It was only a 3.3 mile journey, and took us 20 minutes. Quite a contrast this was to our journey from Marple. This time the scenery was mostly built up with hardly a field in sight.

Once we arrived at the station, we knew the address of our destination - and I guessed that it would only be a short distance away, but to make sure, we hired a cab at the station door, and he drove us the half mile to our destination. We were an hour early, but as the day was pleasant and warm, we found the park area of the hospital had benches where we could sit and wait until our 12 o'clock appointment with Dr. Percival for lunch. The grounds were enormous. (pictured above)

When the time finally came, we went along a tree lined avenue, to the big clock tower, which we were told was the entrance. Even this area was very pretty. There was a loggia entrance hall lined with trees. The Porter said he would show us the way. We came first to an upholstery room, where several women were busy. Then there was a huge day room, which was filled with several women, doing some sort of projects. Just off this was the first Reading Room, where we were ushered in and told to have a seat while he contacted Dr. Perceval to tell him that we had arrived.

We were very surprised when Dr. Frank Perceval walked in, because he was very young - certainly not more than 30. He came over and shook our hands.

"Ah, Mrs. Allsop and Blanche. I trust you had a good journey here, and managed to find us all right."

"Yes, indeed," I said. Mrs. Allsop, but she looked so overwhelmed by the whole experience, that I knew that she was anything but all right.

"I have asked our housekeeper, Mrs. Denning, to provide us with lunch in here, so that we can talk while we eat. I hope that soup and bread and cheese will be to your liking."

There was a knock on the door and the housekeeper came through bringing the promised food. Dr. Perceval handed us each a plate containing a bowl of soup with a large piece of bread to one side, and slices of what I assumed to be Lancashire cheese on the other. We started to eat, but before he had had more than a few mouthfuls, Dr. Perceval started speaking.

"I know you don't have much time to spare, and neither do I, so if you don't mind, I will carry on. I have searched out your father's records and have them here.

He pulled a sheaf of papers out of a folder next to him.

"He was first admitted, on the instructions of a Justice of the Peace from Macclesfield on April 5, 1886, I see. Here is the initial report.

"Excuse me, but why would someone from Macclesfield district be sent here. Why not to a Cheshire Asylum," I asked.

“They are in the process of getting a new one going in Macclesfield, but for the moment, the nearest one is Upton, near Chester, and this is far closer to Bollington.

"It could be that there were no spaces available at Upton, while we had some here. And once he was admitted here, and then released, if there was a recurrence of the situation, he would come back here, because we would have his records.

"As you can see the Medical Record describes him as a stone mason widowed with four children. He was said to be melancholic, very upset and possibly guilty about his wife's early death and possibly suicidal. He was also a heavy drinker.

"Then it gives family history, and nothing was noted in regard to his parents or brothers and sisters.

"State on Admission- Average height, very thin, grey hair, childish expression. Poor body condition but no injuries, Weight 10 st 7 lbs . Diagnosis - Mania and Melancholia. Treatment - employment, diet and moral.

"He was discharged after two months, and seemed to cope well for awhile.

"Do you have any questions?”

"Yes, what employment did he have?

"He worked in the garden, which you see is massive. Our site covers nearly 100 acres. We encourage the inmates to do work, as having a routine is very important in trying to sort out their lives."

"What sort of diet did he have?"

"Here is the menu. See for yourself.”

“That looks very good,” put in Mrs. Allsop.

Doctor Perceval smiled. “Any other questions?”

"What do you mean by moral treatment?"

"Everyone is treated fairly and kindly by staff. We encourage self discipline on Christian principles. The inmates are listened to, and have weekly visits by the medical officers. There are three of us at the moment who share this job. Church attendance is not required but is highly encouraged. Your father was C of E, was he not?"

"Yes."

"Well, he would have had a service to go to each week on Sunday, and the vicar would visit the inmates at other times if requested by them."

"What other things would he have done?"

"When he was well enough and the weather was agreeable, he would have been able to walk in the grounds, or play bowls in our bowling green. And there were day rooms which had other games available. And of course, there are libraries. Was he an avid reader?"

"I don't really know."

"Shall I go on?"

"Yes, please."

"He was next admitted on November 15, 1887.

“On this occasion we have the following statements:

On admission: He looks wild and excited. He talks a lot in an incoherent manner.

Bodily condition: fairly good

Weight: 10 stone 12 lbs

Diagnosis: Manic episode

Admits addiction to drink and has suffered from gastritis.

Has mentioned having delusions and hallucinations.

Jan 5, 1888.

Restless. Wanders about, Sleeps badly. Prescribed mild sedation.

Feb 7, 1888

Seems much more settled.

Treatment: employment, diet, moral.

“He was discharged that time after three months, and went home again.”

"What kind of sedation did he have?"

"Laudanum.

“His third admission was on March 3rd 1889. So he had managed at home for over a year. Do you remember whether he seemed odd during that time, which would have been two years ago?"

"He seemed just like my Pa always did. He was great fun at times, and very angry and short of temper at others. He had a job during that year at the quarry, but sometimes he didn't get to work due to being drunk, and in the end they gave him the boot."

"His last admission was on November 5th, 1890.

"This time he seemed much more depressed, showing the melancholic aspect of his disease. Then when he came in this last autumn, this is his report.

Oct 22nd Has been very restless at night, untidy and inclined to refuse food. . Increasing dementia and unable to answer the simplest question, cannot tell where he is, has no idea as to time etc. Gets out of bed at night constantly and rambles about in an aimless way. His speech is thickened and there is a marked loss of expression.

Nov 18th Dull, apathetic. Does everything in an automatic sort of way, having no will. At time he refuses food, Refuses to speak.

“He told me in one interview that he sees and talks to his dead wife - your mother. Did he mention that sort of thing when he was at home?"

"No, I never heard him say anything like that."

"And this time, he didn't respond to our offers of good diet and fresh air. He seemed as if he wanted to die. We do our best to discourage suicides. I had a stern talk with him about how he had to pull himself together - how wrong it was to make no effort to improve. I am not sure he took in anything that I was saying.

"As you know, he died on January 6th of this year. He just slipped away in his sleep, and there is no doubt in my mind that he died from starvation. He just stopped eating, and we do not believe in force feeding in this institution, unlike some. But for the record we did not put down suicide, because that implies a rational decision, and he was incapable of thinking rationally. And suicides are not allowed Christian burial as you probably know. I can not say he killed himself. He just didn't make the effort to carry on living. So that is about all I can tell you about your father. I didn't know him well, but I did see him regularly and can tell you that he was not unhappy here. We did the best we could for him."