800 Comments for Great Barr Colony (St Margaret's Hospital)

That is a portable scale

I live by this building and have visited many times, but your photograph's make it seem like a place I have just visited for the first time! keep up the good work, next time I go I will look at it your way!

when I was 15 I visited the "Great Barr Manor/Hospital" With a few of my friends,I have always lived i n the great barr area, and remember the buildings before the new building development,I went inside of the hospital and saw similar things,I am still interested in the happenings if anyone would like to discuss,please email me at beccaw1997@hushmail.com

Hi,
A few years back on Flickr were a group of locals to Great Barr whose photos included many shots within that hospital you show, but before it was ransacked. I tried to trace any on that site but failed, too long ago.
Though intruders they were serious in keeping threatened buildings preserved, albeit photographically. Most was as it was abandoned and interesting if somewhat spooky. Enjoyed a tour of yours. Cheers.

I worked here for short period in 1978 as auxiliary domestic. This was the dentist chair I think, cus I used to clean it. The people then were all treated with great compassion and care. Some were classed insane
as they were unmarried women with children and had been placed in the home in their youth. ( then elderly) Many children were seriously
handicapped and may have not been born today. This place was a shock to see in my late teens, but was run with great humanity and care, something we may have lost today in our technological NHS,

Back in the early to mid eighties after a night out at Romeo and Juliets or DSteptoes in the city centre we would travel out here at 2 in the morning when you could gain access to this building and we would just sit around telling stories and sleep here until morning. There is a mortuary on the side and access to the main building was via the basement

It must be really hard for you, Joe, I've heard various accounts of life at Saint Margarets, and not all of them good. I'm glad there was one decent doctor who cared enough about your brother to try and make a difference.

Yes, the architecture is quite something, but a lot of troubled souls must have passed through the building, many of them not always well looked after. I think it's probably better that it doesn't exist any more.

Just to update everyone who may re-visit the comments on Great Barr Hall, it has changed hands again and there was a meeting held recently in regards to its restoration. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the meeting however hopefully now it has new owners maybe something will start being done to bring the old hall back to its former glory. I will post more information as I find out more.

These are definitely weighing scales and we used them for physically handicapped patients who had to be lifted by staff and for anyone who couldn't stand on conventional scales. We did not tie anyone on them. I also miss St. Margarets.

Yes, remembered this picture, and had to come back again - and it still moves me.

Breath-taking! Thank you for the Wallpaper.
On Google Earth pic.2011 it is still there, with signs of something going on around it. For awhile roof was covered in plastic, and there is scaffolding, and a fence.
Great picture! Best wishes.

nothing a little sandblasting couldn't cure

I'm on the side of the Security, I'm a Retail Security Officer and I know the sort of crap these guys have to put up with. Chav's who think there big and clever, yet only have half a brain cell. If some people weren't such destructive idiots there would be no need for Security. It's like you're playing games with Security, 'look at us, we're so clever, we can get passed you'. Play at the park with the rest of the little children.

I grew up in Scott Road Great Barr, which was named after the Scott family as it was the road used to go from Great Barr Hall to Red House Park. I now live in Walsall, but would still like to see the Hall back to it's former glory.

Got to laugh at Leon M, did you go to school? Let me help you :) It's Think and not fink, Should and not shud, That and not dat, There and not der, Don't and not dont and finally Anything and not anyfink. There are other mistakes, but you get the idea.

My nan used to work there and lives close I live close to it too and if there's 1 tip during exploring, its don't touch the tree. You will know what I mean when you're there

Reminds me of the film Labyrinth