The County Mental Hospital, Liverpool Road, Upton.

On land lying between Upton Hall and Bache Hall an asylum for lunatics was established for the County in the year 1829. In that year 90 patients were admitted, 45 male and 45 female. One hundred years later in 1929 the total number of patients was 1,574, and to-day the total is very much larger. Mr. L I Jones, 1829-53, was the first Visiting Medical Superintendent. Since 1853 the position has been a resident one.

Since 1829 additions to the original building have been made to allow for the increased number of patients. In an 1859 Directory we read that "additions are now in course of completion which will afford accommodation for 200 more." Between 1909 and 1912 the Mental Hospital was improved and enlarged, and further extensions were carried out after 1912. Bache Hall was bought in 1911 and used to house the nurses; a nurses' home being built in 1939.

The main building consists of a central administrative block of four storeys and two wings. There are buildings used as shops for carpenters, engineers, tailors, shoemakers and upholsterers; there are bakehouses and laundry and two farms attached to the Mental Hospital. They have their own chapel of 350 sittings, and with a tower containing a clock with chimes. This was built in 1856.

The Mental Hospital stretches over a large area and its gardens and grounds are beautifully looked after by the inmates.

	Nurses F M	Time off duty per week	Wages p.a.
1829	5 -	2 hours	£9/10/0d
1951	180 105	1 day (48hr wkg week)	£225 - £500