MY LIFE CONNECTED WITH
THE UNION/THE CLOSE, UNION ROAD, BRIDGE
- MISS GLADYS M. LEMAR
In I933, when we (the Lemar family) came to live in Old Mill House,
Union Road, Bridge, we had relations working at The Union, Union Road. My
Aunt and Uncle (Mr. and Mrs. Len Lemar) held the posts of Porter and
Porteress, and their living accommodation was on the left-hand side of the
main entrance (now made into two flats). They had two daughters (our
cousins), so as children we were often in The Union. This gave us an insight
into life that we would not otherwise have known about.
\
We spent many hours in the laundry, the chapel, the kitchen, and on the
wards, doing little jobs when we could. The women lived on the left-hand side
and the men on the right-hand side of the building. We talked frequently to the
men and women who had to live there; we knew them all by name. In those
days, some who lived in the Union, or the Institution, as it was often referred
to, were only in their twenties and thirties. In addition there were the elderly,
infirm and mentally retarded. Some women had their babies with them.
I can remember vagrants being brought to The Union, being cleaned and
bathed by my Uncle, and given food. After a night=s rest, some Awent on their
wayz. The vagrants always arrived at, or were brought to, a special building
which was situated opposite Old Mill House. The building was demolished in
1976, and later, houses were built on the site, now Mount Charles Walk. The
Union gardens were eventually sold and Churchill House and Churchill Close
are built where the gardens once were.
During the early years, The Master and Matron of The Union were Mr.
and Mrs. P. Honney and their living accommodation was on the right-hand
side of the main entrance and above the archway.
Among the many and varied duties my Aunt and Uncle did, is one that
I always remember vividly. In the main entrance, next to his desk, my Uncle
had a bell-pull. He had to toll the bell many times during the day; for
eXample:- time to get up, time for breakfast, lunch and tea (even between the
courses), also, to signify that the Doctor had arrived, and finally, of course,
time for bed.