Hi Jon and everyone. I replied to Raewyn too, but did not hit reply all - sometimes I forget that others might like to know the answer too. Whitecroft still exists as a large site that has been sold for redevelopment, but there is a lot of local objection to what has been put forward so far. The first "new" unit was called Newcroft, but has since been replaced with a purpose built mental health unit called Sevenacres. See copy of my email to Raewyn below. The Psychiatric hospital was called Whitecroft, and is about two miles southwest of Newport, in the centre of the Island. It was a huge site, with several red brick buildings, one of which has a clock tower which can be seen from many vantage points in the area. It was a hospital for people who had mental health problems as well as those with learning disabilities. There is a very good history in Dr Laidlaw's book on the history of the Isle of Wight hospitals. In more recent time, the mental health facilities moved to St Mary's, the main hospital in Newport, in a separate building called Newcroft, and finally just a couple of years ago, into a smaller, purpose built unit called Sevenacres. With the move to "care in the community" there is less need for hospitalised patients, and more call for community supports. Which bit of this are you interested in? I have Dr Laidlaw's book if you want more detail of the history. The site is empty now, apart from a laundry facility which is still used by the St Mary's hospital, (But soon to close) and a few buildings used by the Primary Care Trust. The site has been purchased for development. Sally-Ann ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jon Baker" <jon@vectis10w.freeserve.co.uk> To: <ISLE-OF-WIGHT-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2004 10:10 AM Subject: RE: [IoW] PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL Raewyn >From the 1890s the Isle of Wight had a psychiatric hospital (with various other enlightened names) at Whitecroft, south of Newport. This was closed in the 1980s or 90s not sure which, and is nowadays situated next to St Marys Hospital north of Newport - can't for the life of me remember the new name, is it Greencroft? Prior to the 1890s psychiatric patients would either have been "cared for" at the Workhouse or Knowle Hospital in Hampshire. Hope this helps. Jon Baker Calne, UK www.vectis10w.freeserve.co.uk -----Original Message----- From: Raewyn Malcolm [mailto:Raewyn.Malcolm@xtra.co.nz] Sent: 13 February 2004 08:42 To: ISLE-OF-WIGHT-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [IoW] PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL Hello Could someone please tell me where the Psychiatric Hospital is on the IOW, and has it always been in the same place? Regards Raewyn New Zealand ______________________________