Don't worry about the usage of the 'idiot' word
I have to admit that I had / have no reservations using such a word in this context, as I'm obviously stating an - albeit unfortunate - historical fact. What has caused me concern - nay, anger - is the way in which I've been made to feel as if I had personally / purposefully done wrong in using such terminology....
Purely a matter of conjecture, of course, but I'm sure that - had I not mentioned the full title of the site - someone else responding to the post would have done at some point!?
Re. Mazbeths comment: "I do not feel that the two uses of the word [even though one is defunct now] should be linked" - I'm sure that you would receive no argument from anyone with an ounce of consideration / decency in them....... though this matter was never in question anyway, of course.
With regards to the Hospital itself, I had amassed a fair bit of information about the area concerned - though most of this was general, historical information which obviously give no real insight into the day to day mechanics of such an establishment. The little light that has been shed on this angle by recent contact with ex-staff, etc, has been the inspiration for these recent appeals.......
I have visited the area a number of times over the years, my last jaunt falling only a week or so ago. I concur with Langstraats appraisal of the site when he mentions it's 'history and sorrow remaining' and was taken with how much the new housing project reminded me of the old hospital!!
I dread to think what is being done to Great Barr Hall itself currently - though, in comparison to it's pre-renovation condition, I guess than anything would be better than nothing!? One interesting fact which has been recently mentioned to me was the discovery of a haul of, what appeared to be, English Civil War period weaponry - possibly flags, etc, too - in a hidden section of the Hall cellars. Structural alterations to the property brought about the demolition of a wall apparently, which led to the discovery. While a lot of historic sites seem to hold some such legend - if not weapons, then bodies perhaps! - but the staff member concerned assured me this was a true story, as he and associates had viewed the treasures concerned and watched them being removed from the property(?)
Mazbeth - can I ask if you ever came across any of the legends / stories associated with the Hospital while you were there? Thanks....
Regards,
Nick
www.westmidlandsghostclub.com