The Gables was the home of the Richardson family, owners of the Elswick Leather Works and was built in the mid 1870's.
The Gables was purchased in 1919 from the Richardson family and became the Princess Mary Maternity Hospital. This then moved to new premises in Jubilee Road and it was decided that The Gables should be totally independent. In 1948 the NHS decided not to take The Gables over in its rationalisation of local health services and by 1950 it was in financial difficulties. It was then forced to close and was sold to the Salvation Army who renamed it the Hopedene Nursing Home. This was closed in 1974.
After that it operated as a hostel which closed in 1994.
During the 1960s Ryder and Yates produced a series of buildings for healthcare and welfare. Hopedene Maternity Home was their first project for the Salvation Army, built in 1969. It was an extension to a large Victorian house and replaced an earlier labour ward with a new wing for six mothers. In plan their building was simple and linear, but it was a complex structure which had to accommodate changes in ground level and was designed so an additional floor could be added above. The steep slope of the site was emphasised by the use of light brick on the ground floor and dark brick on the first floor, making the lower floor more dominant. The wards overlooked a large garden. The east elevation had minimal slit windows to provide privacy and quiet for the new mothers. The building was never extended as planned. The Salvation Army handed it over to the local authority social services department. It was demolished in the 1990s.
Additional info from Sitelines.
The Gables, Elswick Road.
Exterior of the house. c 1870s.
Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
The Gables, Elswick Road.
Exterior of the house. c 1870s.
Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
More Information:
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33 comments:
Just flicking through your site and I was pleased to find these pictures of the Gables. I was born there in 1944. Thanks for that.
No problem. Send me an email as I think I may have a few more photos of the place that may interest you.
V. interesting ! I was born at the Gables in 1950 . No one ever explained the history or background to me !
My mother. Was born there
My mother was born there 1940
I was born here in 1959 it was then called Hopedene and run by the Salvation Army I am quite confused why my mother chose to have me there it gets some awful publicity about unmarried mothers and having their babies taken away from them. My mother and father were married.
Cazza She was probably attracted by the home’s good reputation locally, as I assume were the other 439 married women who chose the home for their confinement that year.
kevin.pooleyREMOVETHIS@salvationarmy.org.uk
I was born there in 1953. My mother and father were married too. My mother said she had to go there as there were no beds available at the General Hospital at that time. As a child my Aunt used to take me there for the summer fete each year. She was a nurse and she new many of the nurses there.
I was born at Hopedean in 1953. My parents were married too. My mother said she went there because there were no beds available at the General hospital at that time. My Aunt was a nurse and she took me to the Hopedean's summer fairs each year. She knew many of the nurses there and they were always pleased to see me each.
I was born there in 1953. My parents were married too, the reason my mother went was because there were no beds available at General Hospital at that time. My Aunt used to take me to the summer fairs they held at Hopedean each year. The nurses were pleased to see me each year as I growing up.
I was born there in 1948. My parents were married and lived in Burnopfield.
Our son Peter was born there in 1962. Married ladies had to pay to give birth there.
Like many others, I was born there in 1945 it was my mothers birthday, what a present.
My father was born here in 1923. Would love to see other photos if possible.
I was born there in 1949 and it was supposedly quite a posh place and also expensive. I now live in Australia and would love to see more photos if possible.
I was born here in 1969 I think it was here, my paper work states Princess Marys as my place of birth, my mother was single god bless her and was being forced into giving me up, but she was strong and defient and kept me, dose anyone have anymore history or photos xx
Hi, my grandmother had a child there in October 1923, are there any records of children who may have been adopted from the home.
Jun 2020
popin(at)hotmailcouk
I was born there in 1955. My parents were married.
I was born there in 1952.My parents were married, but my mother was terminally ill with tuberculosis. I believe they may have had an isolation ward so she was able to stay there.
I was born there. Have you any more photographs of it please? Thanks
Send me an email
My grandmother was here 1947 have birth to a girl but sadly we cannot trace her if anybody know someone who when by the name of Jean Wilkinson \Todd I would welcome any information
I was born there in 1959 My parents were married.I have read some disturbing reports which upset me greatly.I can't find out anything more my father is dead, my mother is estranged from me.
Hello
I also was born at Hopedene April 1944
I always knew it was a secret,and not to be revieled..
I've recently heard that I was born there in 1962. I would like to know where it is or was on alnwick road. If anyone has any info ?
Thanks for all your comments. I've now added a link to more info from Sitelines which also mapped the location of Hopedene. The north side of Elswick Road on what is now a grassed area opposite Ashfield Nursery.
I was born there in 1961, while it was with the Salvation Army.
My mam told me, at that time she paid sixpence for the service and was taken to one of the upstairs rooms as a married mother, while the un-married mother's were seen downstairs, so they could supposedly get in and out of the building without being seen (if I've got that the wrong way round, they were still segregated).
She also said that at that time, it had a better reputation locally for maternity services than the NHS.
My mother was the girl Jean gave birth to. X
My mother is the little girl she gave birth to x
I was born July 1957 at Hopedene. Parents were married (father from Newcastle, mother from Swansea).
My three siblings (born 1959, 1961 and 1963) were all born at home.
Have always wondered where the building of my birth was located.
I was born there in 1966 my mother was called Elizabeth Cook I was called Enid Cook. Is there any one at the time there knew my mother unfortunately she died before I met her I was adopted thanks
My grandmother served her midwifery there in 1930 has anyone a record of births that year
I was born there in May 1945. Father was still in the RAF and therefore mother was on her own. An older cousin was
born there pre-war. I knew the name of The Gables but nothing about it! I still have the receipt:-) It was less than
15 shillings for two weeks! I also have the telegram (!) sent to my dad telling him that he was a dad!
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