Sandhill Park Institution Opened: The opening of Sandhill Park as a residential special school and home for mental defectives took place yesterday in the presence of a representative gathering. Sandhill Park estate is delightfully situated on the outskirts of Bishop’s Lydeard, near Taunton. It contains about 150 acres of pasturage, a picturesque crescent shaped lake, and the Mansion House built by Sir Thomas Lethbridge in 1720. During the war the latter was used as a camp for German and Austrian officers. Its new use is made possible by the generosity of the late Mr. H. H. Wills and the powers given to the Somerset County Council by the passing of the Mental Deficiency Act of 1913. The details which led up to the acquisition of the property have already been published, and following the extensive alterations carried out from the designs of Sir George H. Oatley, architect, accommodation is provided for 119 patients, and the estate will, in the course of time, be developed into a farm colony. Yesterday’s opening ceremony was performed by Dame Monica Wills, widow of Mr. H. H. Wills. J. Cooke Hurle. Chairman of the Somerset County Council presided and was supported by Sir Frederick Willis (Chairman of the Board of Control), Mr. A. H. Wood (Board of Education), Mrs. Cooke Hurle, Mrs. Pinsent (Commissioner of the Board of Control), Major F. M. E. Kennedy, Mr. John Morland. Mr. Robert Bruford, Sir George H. Oatley and Mr. C. E. Newman.
[see similar: Shepton Mallet Journal: Friday 25th September 1925]
(long discussion of project AND a PHOTOGRAPH of the PRINCIPALS including Mrs. PINSENT)
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949