Great Barr Colony: Opening of Extensions to the Joint Walsall and West Bromwich Scheme: The Problem of the Mental Defects: “The fundamental principle underlying the Government of this Colony is the provision of useful occupations, combined with rational occupations, the aim being to stimulate, develop, and strengthen that amount of intelligence with which these colonists are endowed, to compensate them for the loss of those social amenities which nature has denied them, and generally to promote their physical, mental, moral and spiritual welfare as far as humanly possible.” In these terms Councillor R. B. Sutton, chairman of the Walsall and West Bromwich Guardian’s Joint Committee, which administers the Great Barr Park Colony for mental defectives, defined the aims of the institution … discussion and speeches … Mrs. E. F. Pinsent, C.B.E., a member of the Board of Control, recalled how 30 years ago, it was difficult to convince local authorities, and even some medical men, that there was a mental deficiency problem at all. It was a common thing in those days for parents of defective children to be told they would “grow out of it” Today, no one denied the existence of the problem, but the danger was they realized it was so great that some of them were afraid to face it. … (speech continues) … “the saving of human suffering, pain, misery and disease which colonies such as those secured, was absolutely beyond calculation”. Thanks were expressed to Mr. Brock and Mrs. Pinsent for their addresses on the motion of Lord Charnwood … (continues) …
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Referenced
GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949