The West Riding Lunatic & Mental Asylum (one flew over the cuckoo's nest)

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Sun 25 Nov, 2007 11:10 pm

No these are the only 2 graves you can see in the field. If you look at the size of the field it makes you scratch your head were nearly 3000 bodies are buried.. My mate commented that they must be buried 10 deep in here to fit em all in it's that small.

Post by **chameleon** » Sun 25 Nov, 2007 11:30 pm

I'd say cleared and flattened makes it easier and cheaper to keep them tidy Phill, another modern day practice, but from wht you say and from your pics, look as though even that doesn't happen.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Mon 26 Nov, 2007 12:27 am

I've had a look at the site on Google earth, The place is over the road to High Royds and a train line ran from High Royds to the Leeds-Ilkley mainline a bit further down. There looks to be a few graves but not many in a seperate field behind this one. The chapel is really small. The whole thing is just pretty sad to be honest.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Tue 27 Nov, 2007 6:12 pm

I've just redone our High Royds video as the other one was knocked up in 5 minutes without much material so i wanted to do some themes with this one in a more proffesional way. (csnosi might approve of tracks 2 and 3) I wanted to highlight the somewhat bad publicity from the press and folks perception of a shady underworld anarchist movement of urban explorers to show that it's actually these people to thank for capturing these places, with quite frankly some stunning images that wouldn't normally be seen in the public eye. I started the film in a light hearted way to show you can have some fun but i wanted the ending to represent what High Royds was actually all about and it wasn't any fun at all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztkb6dprTRQ

stevief · Post by **stevief** » Tue 27 Nov, 2007 9:42 pm

Phill_d wrote: I've just redone our High Royds video as the other one was knocked up in 5 minutes without much material so i wanted to do some themes with this one in a more proffesional way. (csnosi might approve of tracks 2 and 3) I wanted to highlight the somewhat bad publicity from the press and folks perception of a shady underworld anarchist movement of urban explorers to show that it's actually these people to thank for capturing these places, with quite frankly some stunning images that wouldn't normally be seen in the public eye. I started the film in a light hearted way to show you can have some fun but i wanted the ending to represent what High Royds was actually all about and it wasn't any fun at all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztkb6dprTRQ Well done phill.Has any of the clock mechanism survived?I couldn't quite make it out.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Wed 28 Nov, 2007 4:57 am

Hi Ste.. I think it was all replaced by an electric mechanism a while ago!

BIG N · Post by **BIG N** » Wed 12 Dec, 2007 3:27 am

How sad and poignient is this thread - I have passed Highroyds many many times but never realised how big it really was, those photos and the film are fantastic Phil and really stir the old emotions.Please tell me the Ballroom and that superb marble floor is not going to be lost in the re-development, that would be a total travesty and should be retained - if nothing else, then as a reminder of the days gone by and as a monument to all who died in the place.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Wed 12 Dec, 2007 7:34 am

Hi big N. Well i'm glad you enjoyed looking at the High Royds stuff mate. We'' i can say those marble floors & ballroom are already under threat from the thieving pikies who've recently relived most of the roof of it's lead work, The waters been pouring in throughout that main admin block over recent weeks. Things aren't looking good for this section as they cant sell many properties in the first phase of developement. It seems the old Ghosts of Hgh Royds are begining to stir least of all the young executive chap who gets woken at 3 o'clock every morning by the old woman stood at the bottom of his bed holding a cup of tea. There's a load more stuff i've got here Big Nhttp://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=265602590&blogID=330662050

Rich87 · Post by **Rich87** » Mon 07 Jan, 2008 2:10 am

Personally i think that an old hospital like this shouldnt be touched for renovation of flats. Im a joiner and i work around leeds, and iv seen many old houses, morgues (dunno if thats spelt right lol) been converted into 'modern apartments'. What i think is wrong about it is that they start knocking down walls and covering up old features with cheap, [edited for content] modern features. I think this just totally takes away all the historic features of the place. Old buildings like royds should be preserved as it was, and made into a museum, where people can appreciate the origins of the building. Instead this building will be some cheaply converted flats, that people who show no interest of history, will move into. Such a shame the history will vanish, so the developer can earn a few quid

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Mon 07 Jan, 2008 2:54 am

I agree with you totally Rich.. Unfortunately as long as there's a profit to be made then heritage soon gets booted into touch. As far as High Royds is concerned then there is only the main admin building so lavishly decorated. It's supposed to be fully retained in the next phase of building work. Well sadly the lead thieves have been at work damaging the buildings interior.. There's a B.B.C Leeds news story with pictures about this situation herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm52vOQHnE0It's a thought provoking video well worth watching.