Gringley-on-the-Hill Sanatorium Information from “Lemon Curd and Grandfathers’ Whiskers” Letters from a Sanatorium By John D Clubley©

(ISBN 1- 87223913 7)

c 1970

In January 1936 at the age of 8 years old the author of ‘Lemon Curd and Grandfathers’ Whiskers’ was diagnosed with a tubercular hip. This condition was inoperable and at this time there was no cure for tuberculosis. In February 1936 John’s mother was sent a letter informing her that a vacancy had become available for her son at the Children’s Hospital at Gringley on the Hill. It was not until September 1939 that John was finally discharged.

At the turn of the century Gringley Hall was a large three storey private residence. ‘The Laurels’ as it was then known was owned by Mrs Chandler. In 1906 it was bought by Major Joseph Laycock and converted into a Convalescent Home.

In 1910 Major Laycock’s wife suffered a serious accident which resulted in the amputation of a leg. Following his wife’s recovery in 1911 the Major developed the idea of turning the Convalescent Home into a hospital and a

small number of nurses led by Matron Burgess were employed to offer care to children from surrounding areas.

It became evident that most of the children’s health problems were associated with diseases of the bone and in 1912 due to increasing demand and rising costs Major Laycock obtained financial support from the Duke of Portland – so began a sanatorium for tubercular children at Gringley Hall.

The war years saw some disruption to the development of the hospital but in 1920 Major Laycock obtained £24,000 from the Nottingham Health Committee for the construction of purpose built wards and made a gift of ‘The Laurels’ to provide nursing quarters for the staff.

In 1920 the hospital was expanded and was able to double patient capacity to 44 children.

Gringley Convalesc ent House taken 10.5.1912. The Welchman Collection