Full Catalogue
The Three Counties Asylum artefacts that are described in the 'Artefacts' section of this website are made up of items from three sources:
- The collection of Rich and Ros Knight, which was acquired by Fairfield Parish Council in March 2022,
- The Bedford Museum collection, and
- Other private collections.
In February 2025, Fairfield Parish Council started to produce a publicly accessible catalogue of the artefacts that were acquired from Rich and Ros Knight. This catalogue, below, will grow over time until the cataloguing project is complete (at which time this page will be updated).
The cataloguing ID system is 'YYYY.NNN.AAA', where:
- YYYY = The calendar year of the catalogue entry. E.g. 2025, 2026, etc.
- NNN = the catalogue entry number for the respective year. E.g. 001, 002 etc.
- AAA = The collection identifier. E.g. FPC for Fairfield Parish Council collection. This would allow private collection loan items to be identified, if temporarily on display.
The Fairfield Parish Council catalogue includes some items that have not yet been photographed and included within the 'Artefacts' section of this website, and these items do not have a link within their catalogue entry. The intention is to eventually photograph all these items and add them to the website.
- Catalogue ID: 2025.001.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Hospital cardiograph machine.
- Description: Manufactured by Cambridge Instruments circa 1950. Dimensions are: 11.5 inches high, 13.5 inches long with a width of 9 inches. Nice nickel plated fittings with a tough leather bound handle. Various straps fittings along with electro conductive jelly are included. This machine is very heavy and very well made of solid wood.
- Comment: With laminated instructions, has tubes and box of electrode jelly for use with ECT machine and cardiograph.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/three-counties-hospital-cardiograph
- Catalogue ID: 2025.002.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Hospital cricket blazer.
- Description: This is the only known Three Counties Hospital cricket blazer. It was owned and used by George Bircumshaw, who was part of the classic TCH cricket team from the 1940s and 1950s. This blazer was given to us by Richard Bircumshaw, George's son. Original cloth stag blazer badge, brass buttons and the TCH metal pin on the lapel make this a very historic item from the sporting side of the hospital's past.
- Comment: The only known Three Counties Hospital cricket blazer.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/three-counties-hospital-cricket-blazer
- Catalogue ID: 2025.003.FPC
- Item: Hand embroidered tablecloth.
- Description:
- Comment: Made by a patient during WW2, it was purchased at the hospital and used by its owner for special occasions only. A stunning piece of work in lovely condition.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.004.FPC
- Item: Section of ward curtain with Fairfield crest.
- Description:
- Comment: Piece of blue and white 1970s / 1980s ward curtain with Fairfield crest, from ward M4.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.005.FPC
- Item: T-shirts.
- Description:
- Comment: Seven T-shirts (various designs and colours). Two are on display.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.006.FPC
- Item: Drawstring backpack.
- Description:
- Comment: Small modern drawstring backpack.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.007.FPC
- Item: Radio Fairfield original T-shirt.
- Description: Neil Whiteside of Cambridge 105 and ex Fairfield Hospital station manager / DJ presented Richard Knight with this only known original vintage Radio Fairfield shirt for the collection. The back of the shirt shows the local sponsor. This company sponsored a very limited edition shirt for the Fairfield Hospital Celebration Day on the 20th June 2010 at Stotfold Memorial Hall.
- Comment: The only known Fairfield example from the early 1980s.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/radio-fairfield-t-shirt
- Catalogue ID: 2025.008.FPC
- Item: A DVD copy of the rare Channel 4 programme 'Out of our Minds'.
- Description:
- Comment: All about life, reading and writing poetry at Fairfield Hospital.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.009.FPC
- Item: DVD interview with Mr Frank Mays.
- Description:
- Comment: Frank spent his whole working life at Fairfield. He started in 1938 and retired from there in 1973. He then went back part time for a few more years. A fantastic oral history and a glimpse in to a past world.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.010.FPC
- Item: Fairfield Hospital original radio jingle tape.
- Description: This is the original Radio Fairfield main theme jingle tape, made in 1981 by TapeTrix of Manchester. The tape contains six mixes of the original theme. At £55.00 it was rather expensive. A big thank you for this tape must go to Neil Whiteside who was the station manager and presenter at Radio Fairfield. Neil moved on to present the early morning breakfast show on Cambridge 105 FM.
- Comment:
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/radio-fairfield-jingle-tape
- Catalogue ID: 2025.011.FPC
- Item: Draft Planning & Development Brief for Land at Fairfield Hospital.
- Description:
- Comment: May be a duplicate of catalogue ID 2025.014.FPS.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.012.FPC
- Item: Eleven large size housing plans.
- Description:
- Comment: Drawings, planning applications etc. that were given to the council for approval. Some quality colour plans showing houses etc.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.013.FPC
- Item: Large Fairfield Hospital proposal for restoration book.
- Description: This book was prepared by the original owners of the site, NHS Executive: Anglia and Oxford, and the original prospective buyers of the site, The Wiggins Group PLC. This project book is full of hand drawn plans showing all aspects of the old asylum with areas to be kept, demolished, trees and planted areas, full history of the asylum and why it qualified for Grade II listing status etc. Also, who the project team and companies were and their involvement in the project. There are chapters on the condition of the listed buildings, and discussions with English Heritage and the country conservation officer. There are many differences between the original plans and how the asylum and the surrounding areas turned out and now stand. The book size is 16.5 inches x 12 inches.
- Comment: From before the days of computer graphics, so all hand drawn and coloured before printing. Presented by Wiggins Trust to the NHS executive.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/books/proposals-for-redevelopment
- Catalogue ID: 2025.014.FPC
- Item: Fairfield Hospital draft planning and development brief.
- Description:
- Comment: 33 pages plus 13 plan drawings 1996. May be a duplicate of catalogue ID 2025.011.FPS.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.015.FPC
- Item: Fairfield Park Design Statement large booklet.
- Description:
- Comment: Application to increase the overall housing numbers by 158.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.016.FPC
- Item: Fairfield Park Supporting Planning Statement.
- Description:
- Comment: Large spine booklet.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.017.FPC
- Item: Large plans and proposal for Fairfield lower school.
- Description:
- Comment: Colour plans showing proposed classrooms, gardens, parking etc.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.018.FPC
- Item: Magazine.
- Description:
- Comment: 155 years TCA magazine dated 25 June 2015, four copies. One copy on display.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.019.FPC
- Item: Large set of farm scales with three weights.
- Description:
- Comment: Weights: 1lb, 2lbs and 4lbs.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.020.FPC
- Item: Metal fire bucket.
- Description:
- Comment: Appears to be a farm (milk) bucket.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.021.FPC
- Item: Large concrete ball.
- Description:
- Comment: About the size of a football, it sat on a spigot over the main entrance.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.022.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Asylum fireman's axe.
- Description: The Three Counties Asylum had its own fire brigade, which was made up from volunteers drawn from the male attendants. Both young and older men volunteered to join the brigade, and within a short time they became fully trained and equipped. Part of their equipment was the fireman's axe, supplied by Shand Mason & Co. This one belonged to attendant C Putman.
- Comment:
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/three-counties-asylum-firemans-axe
- Catalogue ID: 2025.023.FPC
- Item: Victorian metal fire tongs.
- Description:
- Comment:
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.024.FPC
- Item: Edwardian grave marker.
- Description: As the cemetery was being cleared, these old markers lay scattered all around the cemetery grounds. They were removed by builders, and where they all went is unclear. This one was found discarded and away from the cemetery, and a decision was made to save it. With the help of Bedford records office it was possible to find out who occupies grave number 2532. In the burials book of 1904 it reads: Burials in the burial ground for the lunatic asylum for the counties of Bedford, Hertford, and Huntingdon, in the parish of Stotfold, in the said county of Bedford, in the year 1904. 2532, book entry No 932, James Bennet Turner, old attendant, of Asylum Road, Stotfold, Baldock. Buried Oct 13th, aged 53 years, ceremony was performed by A.B. Attkinson, chaplain.
- Comment: Grave marker number 2532 with fully researched info.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/three-counties-asylum-grave-marker
- Catalogue ID: 2025.025.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Asylum fireman's helmet.
- Description: The helmet is in very good condition for its age with the original liner, straps and brass buckle. Some time in its past it had been highly polished and lacquered, however it had a tired look because the lacquer had cracked and tarnished with age. The old lacquer was gently removed and then the helmet was sympathetically re-polished to shine once again. Merryweather Fireman's Outfitters of London only ever supplied eight of these helmets to TCA, which makes them a very rare and valuable artefact.
- Comment: Badged HBH (Herts Beds Hunts).
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/brass-firemans-helmet-1
- Catalogue ID: 2025.026.FPC
- Item: Measuring ladle.
- Description:
- Comment: One quart milk measuring ladle.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.027.FPC
- Item: Lantern.
- Description:
- Comment: Hand held storm lantern.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.028.FPC
- Item: Copper railhead for gate or fence.
- Description:
- Comment:
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.029.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Asylum HBH cast iron ornate air vent cover.
- Description: Herts Beds Hunts wall plaque. These were placed above certain doors in the old asylum. The plaque is made of cast iron with the HBH insignia, HBH standing for Herts, Beds and Hunts. An air vent maybe? Measurements are approx 9 inches x 7 inches.
- Comment: The previous owner said it came from above a door.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/hbh-wall-plaque
- Catalogue ID: 2025.030.FPC
- Item: Male and female airing court padlocks.
- Description: These are the two original padlocks with their keys from the male and female airing courts. These were located at opposite ends of the asylum, and the two keys could also be used as ward keys for the asylum. Although the locks have aged with time they are solid brass and still work. The locks are approximately 7 inches high and 1 inch thick.
- Comment: These original large and heavy padlocks locked the patients into the airing courts while exercising - Gibbons Wolverhampton.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/original-airing-court-locks
- Catalogue ID: 2025.031.FPC
- Item: Leather gaiters.
- Description:
- Comment: Farm worker's leather gaiters.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.032.FPC
- Item: Hospital bedpan.
- Description:
- Comment:
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.033.FPC
- Item: Keys.
- Description:
- Comment: Three sets: 1) 1 key (Gibbons) with 1 pin tumbler lock key. 2) 2 lever lock keys noted FA & MA. 3) 1 lever lock key (painted black)
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.034.FPC
- Item: Fairfield Hospital memo pad.
- Description: 1980s Fairfield Hospital internal memo pad.
- Comment:
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/1980s-fairfield-hospital-internal-memo-pad
- Catalogue ID: 2025.035.FPC
- Item: Photographs.
- Description:
- Comment: Four folders of photographs: 1) 'A history of my father's home' by Angela Sachs 2005 (seems to be a duplicate of catalogue ID 2025.0051.FPC), 2) Staff photos (mostly 1960s), 3) External / internal photos (mostly 1960s), 4) Patient photos. Most are on display (excluding 'external / internal photos - mostly 1960s).
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.036.FPC
- Item: Menus and recipes from Fairfield Hospital kitchens.
- Description:
- Comment: A folder of menus and recipes from the kitchens of Fairfield Hospital.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.037.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Asylum large water jug.
- Description: Manufactured in 1870 by James Green and Nephew, 107 Queen Victoria Street, St Paul's, London. This beautiful water jug was discovered in an antique shop in Illinois, U.S.A, by fellow asylum artefacts collector, Laura Fortado.
- Comment: The oldest piece of china known, with the old original style font on the badge. No other examples are known.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/three-counties-asylum-ornate-water-jug
- Catalogue ID: 2025.038.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Hospital large crested dish.
- Description: Measuring 13 x 10 inches with a depth of 3.5 inches, manufactured by Ashworth Brothers circa. 1930. The crest in the dish is different to the crest in the side plate of the same design as the word 'Mental' has been omitted. The potters mark underneath the dish shows that it was made In Staffordshire, manufactured by Ashworth Bothers of North Staffordshire.
- Comment: In white with red band, Ashworth Bros.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/three-counties-hospital-large-crested-dish
- Catalogue ID: 2025.039.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Mental Hospital side plate.
- Description: 1930s TCMH Side Plate, approx 9 x 7 inches. Slight surface wear but this does not detract from this rare item. This plate is one of very few items known with 'Mental Hospital' on them. Copeland Spode, Made In England back stamp.
- Comment: White with double red band, not the best condition but ultra rare as this is one of very few pieces with a crest that states 'Mental Hospital'. Copeland Spode.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/1930s-oval-dining-plate
- Catalogue ID: 2025.040.FPC
- Item: Earthenware water bottle.
- Description:
- Comment:
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.041.FPC
- Item: Mug.
- Description:
- Comment: Labelled 'Fairfield Hospital' (unboxed).
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.042.FPC
- Item: Fairfield Hospital ceramic mug.
- Description: These mugs were produced for the hospital staff to buy when the hospital closed in 1999. They could be purchased from reception in two colours, blue and green. There is body rippling, with a squirrel to the left of the badge.
- Comment: 1998, commemorating closure.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/fairfield-hospital-ceramic-mug
- Catalogue ID: 2025.043.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Hospital small cup, white with red band.
- Description: A nice little coffee cup found at the asylum.
- Comment: New Hall, Hanley.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/coffee-cup-found-at-the-asylum
- Catalogue ID: 2025.044.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Asylum Codd bottle.
- Description: In 1911, attendants were able to purchase two mineral water bottles per day at a cost of 10 shillings (approximately 50p) annually. Many deaths had occurred through typhoid from the contaminated asylum water supply and staff refused to drink from the taps, so provisions were made for a mineral water factory to be set up and supply fresh bottled mineral water.
- Comment: Mineral water bottle with glass stopper.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/three-counties-asylum-codd-bottle
- Catalogue ID: 2025.045.FPC
- Item: Induction manual.
- Description:
- Comment: The 1974 induction manual contains everything that a new nurse would need to know about the hospital and the surrounding area.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.046.FPC
- Item: Historic letters and photographs.
- Description:
- Comment: Including letters to Richard Knight.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.047.FPC
- Item: Event documentation and newspaper notices.
- Description:
- Comment:
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.048.FPC
- Item: A large folder of photographs from Radio Fairfield.
- Description:
- Comment: Including photographs of the equipment, gala days, presenters, signed photos from some of the 'Ello 'Ello stars and presenter laminated passes.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.049.FPC
- Item: A collection of gala day photos.
- Description:
- Comment: With Pat Phoenix (Elsie Tanner), Len Fairclough, Isla Sinclair, Dave Lee Travis, Marty Wilde.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.050.FPC
- Item: Original 1980s Radio Fairfield poster.
- Description:
- Comment: An original poster together with other pictures from the Radio Fairfield website.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.051.FPC
- Item: Photographs.
- Description:
- Comment: Artistic photos, mostly by Angela Sachs. Seems to be a duplicate of catalogue ID 2025.0035.FPC item 1.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.052.FPC
- Item: Mental Hospital & Institutional Workers' Journal.
- Description:
- Comment: March 1939 edition.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.053.FPC
- Item: A copy of Lisa Haskins' dissertation 'Nineteenth Century Institutional Care of Lunatics and Idiots - Moral Therapy at TCA'.
- Description:
- Comment: A fascinating read full of information which questions the fabric of the asylum, 1860 to 1900.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.054.FPC
- Item: Fairfield Hospital 'Festival Week' programme.
- Description:
- Comment:
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.055.FPC
- Item: Six Bullets pamphlet.
- Description:
- Comment: Fairfield Writer's Group - a set of poems
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/books/six-bullets
- Catalogue ID: 2025.056.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Hospital nurses prize giving programme.
- Description:
- Comment:
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/1959-prize-giving-programme
- Catalogue ID: 2025.057.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Hospital centenary book 1860 -1960 (first edition).
- Description:
- Comment: Rare first edition written by the hospital reverend, Rev Monk. He caused a scandal by running off with a 19 year old girl, made the front page of the Daily Mirror.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.058.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Hospital centenary book 1860 - 1960 (second edition).
- Description: This Is the rare Fairfield Hospital Centenary Book. It was first published in 1960 to celebrate the first one hundred years of the asylum. The book was written by the Rev Arthur Monk aged 67, who was the resident chaplain. He caused a national scandal when he ran away with a young girl aged just 19 who worked at a chemist in Letchworth, Herts. They got married in Buckden, Huntingdonshire to avoid gossip. Reverend Monk and his bride actually appeared on the front page of the Daily Mirror newspaper. It was said the bride's parents gave their blessing and were very happy for the couple. After a honeymoon driving in Kent, they returned and lived in Mr Monks' lodge house which stood in the hospital grounds. This is a second print from 1971, and was actually printed at Fairfield Hospital.
- Comment: Fairfield hospital centenary book second edition printed at the hospital in 1971.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/books/fairfield-hospital-centenary-book
- Catalogue ID: 2025.059.FPC
- Item: A Place in the Country.
- Description:
- Comment: A new unread copy.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/books/a-place-in-the-country
- Catalogue ID: 2025.060.FPC
- Item: A copy of a book about the gas works at Three Counties Hospital.
- Description:
- Comment:
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/books/the-three-counties-hospital-gas-works-1857-1952
- Catalogue ID: 2025.061.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Hospital 1930’s nurses emergency whistle.
- Description: 3.5 inches tall (9.5cms). Stamping reads: THE METROPOLITAIN, THREE COUNTIES HOSPITAL, J .HUDSON & CO, BARR ST. HOCKLEY, BIRMINGHAM. These whistles were carried by ward attendants in order to keep patients under control or to call for help if there was an attack or a patient was injured or sick. The whistles were used much like a football referee .The whistles would be attached to the attendants white coat by a chain and button clip.
- Comment: This whistle was issued to Mr Frank Mays in 1938.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/nurses-emergency-whistle-1
- Catalogue ID: 2025.062.FPC
- Item: One pint measuring jar.
- Description:
- Comment:
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.063.FPC
- Item: Four fluid ounce measuring jar.
- Description:
- Comment:
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.064.FPC
- Item: Glass medicine bottles
- Description: Two small coloured glass medicine bottles.
- Comment:
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.065.FPC
- Item: Glass medicine bottle.
- Description: One medium coloured glass medicine bottle.
- Comment:
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.066.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Hospital medicine bottle.
- Description: Three Counties Hospital 1930s clear glass medicine bottle, approximately eight inches tall.
- Comment:
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/glass-medicine-bottle
- Catalogue ID: 2025.067.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Hospital test tube.
- Description:
- Comment: Small delicate test tube labelled Three Counties Hospital.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.068.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Hospital cricket ball trophy.
- Description: This is a very unique item. It's a cricket ball trophy. The Three Counties Hospital had a very top class cricket team that played not only local teams but teams from all over the country. This ball was presented to Eric Bircumshaw for outstanding playing. It is engraved: To Eric Bircumshaw for scoring a hat trick against R.A.F. Shefford on the 24th August 1944. In 1950 the Americans took over the R.A.F. base and renamed it U.S.A.F Chicksands. This was after a 12th century Gilbertine monastery that once stood in its grounds, Cricket is still played on the original pitch at Fairfield Park, which was laid in 1862.
- Comment: This ball was awarded to E Bircumshaw for scoring a hat trick against RAF Shefford.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/three-counties-cricket-ball-trophy
- Catalogue ID: 2025.069.FPC
- Item: Fairfield Hospital alarm panic button.
- Description: This is an interesting piece of memorabilia. It is an electronic personal alarm given to staff working in the secure unit at Fairfield Hospital, circa 1990. It was worn around the wrist so if the member of staff was attacked or needed help controlling a patient, one press of the soft touch button in the middle of the unit would send a signal to a central alarm within the hospital. This would sound off within the ward and hopefully help would soon be at hand. The “T” symbol on the unit suggests that these were made by British Telecom.
- Comment: Worn on the wrist powered by BT, for those working in M9 secure ward.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/fairfield-hospital-personal-alarm
- Catalogue ID: 2025.070.FPC
- Item: Picture slides.
- Description: 16 mostly coloured picture slides (Pam Skinner x 6). Mostly external views.
- Comment:
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.071.FPC
- Item: Small round wooden box.
- Description:
- Comment: Transcribed Fairfield Asylum / Fairfield Hospital / Fairfield Hall 2010. Possibly part of a coaster set.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.072.FPC
- Item: China patient sipping cup.
- Description:
- Comment: No noticeable markings.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.073.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Asylum 155th anniversary pin badges.
- Description:
- Comment: Box of 27 Three Counties Asylum 155th anniversary pin badges in gold and chrome. 25 are on display.
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.074.FPC
- Item: Patient 'statement of death'.
- Description:
- Comment: Thee Counties Asylum statement of death card (laminated).
- Link:
- Catalogue ID: 2025.075.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Asylum staff ball programme.
- Description: This small and fragile programme gives us a glimpse into what was going on in 1914 at the Three Counties Asylum. The staff balls were very big lavish affairs with no expense spared, only the finest courses, deserts, beers, wines, spirits and entertainment were on offer to the guests. The asylum employed the best chefs and grew most of its own vegetables and fruit. It also had its own farm and dairy so fresh meat and milk were guaranteed. Carriages at midnight to escort the guests home were a must. As you can see there was plenty of dancing to be had with the asylum orchestra playing all the music. No wonder they had a one hour interval, probably to dine and recover! A rare and fascinating artefact, donated by Molly Jennings.
- Comment: Three Counties Asylum staff ball dance card.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/three-counties-asylum-staff-ball-programme
- Catalogue ID: 2025.076.FPC
- Item: Three Counties Hospital bowls club badge.
- Description: Woven cloth Three Counties Hospital bowls club blazer badge.
- Comment: Three Counties Bowls Club badge circa 1950.
- Link: https://www.threecountiesasylum.co.uk/index.php/artefacts/bowls-club-badge-circa-1950