How to Leave a Comment on Our Blog

HOW TO LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS BLOG
1. Scroll to the end of the post.
2. Click on the phrase "0 comments" or, if there are comments it will indicate how many, for example, "8 comments." Clicking on this will open the comment option for you.
3. Type in your note.
4. Choose your Profile. If you don't understand the choices under Profile then choose Anonymous but PLEASE type your name and location at the bottom of your comment so I know who you are!

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

The stable that became a hospital

From the basin moorings exiting where the little arm used to be brings you onto South Wharf road and facing the building pictured to the left. This is the building mentioned in the `Thirsty, try canal water` post about 10 days ago. Just a few steps indie the gate can be found the areas pictured below.


 It is now the Mint wing of St. Mary`s Hospital but when built in 1878 it was stables on three floors.
The stables, holding up to 600 horses, were for the Great Western Railway who`s trains arrived in next door Paddington station.
The site was it seems first occupied by a mint but I can find no reference to it.



Above and below the same view, just 88 years apart and some extra windows on the right.
© National Railway Museum  1926





Again then and now. These would have been strictly railway horses as an old map of the canal basin shows two stables along it`s wharves.


 
Left the horses worked in the goods yard moving wagons.
 
On the right the horses were used to pull delivery vans. 
 

Above an aerial view from; 
As I have mentioned before the `Britain from above` site is very interesting. Just sign up to be able to zoom in otherwise you can view the images at distance, not much fun. No catch in signing up and it covers the whole country.
There are 8 images around the station/basin this one is the 1932 image. On one you can zoom in and see the horse ramps in the stables.
 
A is the site of the original 1838 Paddington station. In 1854 the present day station was built at B.  The Yellow shaded part is the stable block and just to the left of it is the canal basin. The exit referred to is on the right of the bend in the canal.
If you look carefully to the far end of the basin you can see two other arms exiting to the left.
 
Writing this I wish I had entered the building to see if as I suspect the building is not full of patients beds but  just admin and stores.
 
Something else that came up while surfing the web is being reminded that growing up in Paddington meant I also grew up in Middlesex. This county has now disappeared but if being a Londoner of a younger age than yours truly you might be surprised to realise you grew up in what was Middlesex. What is now Greater London was once Middlesex. It was bordered by Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex.
Click HERE and scroll down to check if your part of London, or the suburbs, was part of this very old county.
More on Middx HERE.
 
Surgery tomorrow, Jaq will keep you posted on how it all goes.



14 comments:

Anonymous said...

How interesting! I had no idea Middlesex was no more.

All the very best tomorrow. We will be thinking about you both.

with a big hug,
Sally

Shirley Collier said...

Best of luck to you tomorrow, Les.
Shirley Collier from WSU (retired)

Anonymous said...

Les and Jaq, I'm sending healing thoughts and good wishes to you tomorrow and the days following. Love to you both! Sandy Field

Anonymous said...

Thinking about you for tomorrow Les, and the days ahead.

All the best
Alistair

Charm said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
jercher said...

We are thinking of you and wishing you the best possible outcome. Hope you have gotten the package we sent by now - if not, there's a little surprise coming. We are holding the two of you very close in our hearts.
Much love - always friends,
Cheri & Jerry

Mike said...

Good luck with this much needed op, should be a walk in the park.
Mike & Phill, nb GARNET

Anonymous said...

Ouch...was just going to say how interesting that post was....but the cliffhanger at the end was a bit of a shock...(had obviously forgotten date!!). Wishing you well and a speedy return home. Thinking of you both....xxA

KevinTOO said...

Best wishes for a successful operation tomorrow and a speedy recovery thereafter.

Unknown said...

Just so readers know...have had TURP
twice and survived although my spigot was a bit bloody each time...
age does this to us guys, ditto other diseases as well. Les will feel better in the long run, but boy does it hurt...

Tirun said...

Best wishes for a successful operation.

Les Biggs said...

Charmaine
Sorry but I read your comment,thanks, but deleted it by mistake. Damn smartphones.

Les Biggs said...

A big thank you for all your good wishes. As you have now read it`s all over and I feel great.
Les

Les Biggs said...

Bryce
In no pain at all. Still not taking any pain relief.
Les

NB Valerie & Steam Train by Les Biggs

NB Valerie & Steam Train by Les Biggs