Pen-y-Fal Hospital, Abergavenny

• 

  Sarah Harris, January 12, 2023 @ 09:49

  Hi all
  I am researching my family and have found out my great grandmother Catherine Griffin was sent there and is also buried there.
• 

  Lorna Cook, May 20, 2022 @ 14:29

  My grandmother May Ronan was admitted there after the birth of her 5th child in 6 years. Gee thanks records said there was some records but not a lot which they have sent me. My poor granny had post natal depression so… they did a lobotomy on her. Poor darling. Didn’t die til the early 60s I believe. We never knew.
• 

  pamela, November 1, 2021 @ 09:25

  I purchased a two bedroom apartment off-plan through Redrow 2003 at Penyfal – the apartment was first floor facing the front of the grounds which was an excellent position with a pleasant outlook all was going well for the first couple of months until I started to experience what I could only describe as paranormal activities. I mostly spent time in the large lounge overlooking the gardens, on one occasion late evening I fell asleep on the chaise longue in the lounge – only to have strong feeling of sheer terror engulfing me, the air surrounding me was freezing, ice cold, I was aware of a loud piercing buzzing sound like ‘white noise’ in my head I felt frozen unable to move – I felt my body was being taken over – I was being dragged down, off the chaise longue onto the floor. This phenomenon continued to occur over several months – needless to say I put the property up for sale and moved out within the year. I was shocked to learn other home owners were experiencing similar unexplained incidents.
• 

  Rhi, November 17, 2020 @ 15:18

  You can find records relating to Pen-y-Fal and the patients at Gwent Archives. They also have catalogues available to view on their website here: http://www.gwentarchives.gov.uk/our-collection/archives/hospitals-health-care/mental-health.aspx

  Gwent Archives
  Steelworks Road
  Ebbw Vale
  Blaenau Gwent
  NP23 6DN

  enquiries@gwentarchives.gov.uk
• 

  Julie Gittins, October 2, 2020 @ 00:50

  I would like to know more information about a relative of mine thankyou
• 

  Susan Westacott, February 24, 2020 @ 15:45

  Sad to see how many people trying to find info on their families who were sadly, residents of this hospital. I too had a grandfather who spent years in Pen-y-fal and know very little because my mother was told her father had died when she was a young girl.
  I am now trying t get information about my Grandfather through Gwent Archives in Ebbwvale and hope others can get some help in finding out about their family
• 

  Margaret Ravetta, February 17, 2019 @ 20:28

  margaret
  Is this website still open for information on pass residents who lived here in the early 1900s im looking for info on my husbands grandfather Donata Vincent Ravetta he was at this Asylum on and offf from 1904 to 1914 when he died there.
• 

  Margaret Ravetta, February 16, 2019 @ 19:52

  hi im trying to find out information on Donata Vincent Ravetta born in Lechtenstein Switzerland 1867 his parents came from Como northern Italy. Donata come to England in the late 1880 to late 1890 where he met Beatrice Jane Bull who he lived with in bermondsey they had three children all boys John Vincent Ravetta who is my husbands father, Charles Henry and Walter George Ravetta, We know that Donata left Beatrice before Walter was born in 1904 to fend for herself, and that Donata ended up in Mint street Workhouse Southwark, he then went from Asylum to Asylum for the next 10 years. First Cane Hill Asylum, then Rubery Asylum and ended up in Newport Asylum Monmouthshire where he died on the 27th January 1914 it states on his death certificate that cause of death was Epilepsy and Pericarditis,This is all the information we have on Donata does anyone have any information on him where he was buried or his parents names and where they actually lived in Italy or if he had any siblings, were there any photos of him or his family would love to find out more about him,
• 

  Jennifer, November 10, 2018 @ 09:13

  My grandad Thomas Herbert Stripp was admitted to Penyfal after serving in Burma. We used to visit him Christmas time. It was so sad. He was unable to speak but he knew who we were. They were precious times. He passed away in 1973 and was buried at Abercarn cemetery. If anyone working there knew my grandad, it would be wonderful to hear from you.
• 

  Michelle May, June 10, 2018 @ 13:05

  My Great Great Grandfather Thomas Bunkham was an inmate (lunatic) at the hospital, according to the 1911 census. Thomas died at the hospital in 1915. I have just found this website, and I am interested in finding out if the Chapel’s Grounds were consecrated and allowed burials. Or could anyone tell me where the patients/inmates were buried. Many Thanks
• 

  julie hobbs, April 29, 2018 @ 15:13

  My grandma Ethel Rogers whom I never knew was born in Newport Union Workhouse in September 1899 to a Laura Anne Rogers. Sadly my grandma Ethel was admitted into the abergavenny asylum in around 1933/1935 after the birth of her fifth child with what we now know as post natal depression. My father was 5 when his mum went into the asylum and he and his other siblings were told she had died therefore no one knew anything until 1980 when the asylum or pen-y-fal hospital as was later known contacted my father and his other siblings to let them know she has passed away but sadly again as they had been trying to locate the family grandma had been buried months before. I therefore have not seen any photos of grandma, it would be wonderful to see, does anyone know if any staff may have taken photos of the patients. Any guidance would be much appreciated. I live in Wakefield. Many thanks Julie
• 

  sue lewis, March 31, 2017 @ 15:46

  hi Susan I don’t know if you are aware there is a exhibition and talk and information on pen y fal hosp
  at
  the conference centre abergavenny on april 8th by David Bowen at 6pm please feel free to call David on 01873858306
  for information
  kind regards sue lewis
• 

  Susan Lee, March 16, 2017 @ 20:49

  hi my uncle was at this institution from about 1946 to 1971 when he passed away. I have only just found out about him as his mental illness was considered a ‘shame’. I was looking through some of my dads paperwork and found my grandads will stating that Leslie was to be left some money for his care at the asylum. I can’t find any records nor burial records for him is there any one who could help?
• 

  Rebecca, May 21, 2016 @ 18:27

  I think there must have been some mind problems on one side of my family – Two of my great-grandather’s siblings were admitted, and died, at the Abergavenny asylum, although 35 years separate their deaths… James Whittingham died there in 1906 and his sister Mary Jane Walker in 1941. The hospital and many like it closed down long ago. Now it’s all about “care in the community” – a bit of a cop-out, if you ask me. Financially driven, no doubt. I used to live next door to a chap who suffered from schizophrenia. If he stopped taking his medication he got very ill and after the police broke down his door, they put him in a car and took him to a rehabilitation home. Some times he’d be gone for months. Whatever we think about mental hospitals at least the patients were getting much closer supervision, 24/7. Now it seems they have to care for themselves, on their own like my neighbour was. Does anyone have any old photos of the Abergavenny hospital, from about 1906 and 1941?
• 

  Janet Lee, May 2, 2016 @ 12:37

  I have a relative that died in the Lunatic Asylum in Abergavenny on the 22nd December 1914. Her name was Mary Jane McVicker and I would love to get some information about her and perhaps her family if anyone can tell me how to go about this.
• 

  Shaun heffernan, May 1, 2016 @ 21:38

  I worked there from 1979 until 1991 . There were some wonderful characters living there and let me put your minds at rest every person who lived there was looked after and treated with the utmost respect . My late mother also worked there for in her early years in the days when the medication was not as good as it is today . When i first started my job She reminded me that it was ok to laugh with the patients but never to laugh at them !!! She would tell me stories that would make your hair stand on end but make you laugh at the same time . I loved working there it was home from home to me . There was some very talented people there from singers to piano players every day someone would be playing the Grand piano in the main hall and there was always a singer to accompany them with a wonderful baritone voice . It was like a town within a town they wanted for nothing they had everything from hairdressers to a bar where they could have a drink the latest films were shown once a week.The older charge nurses made sure of that They were wonderful . As for the lady who was wondering what the chimneys were for. Before they turned over to gas the boilers that heated the hospital were coal fired that in turn created the steam . There was also a furnace which before the days of pollution was used to burn the rubbish .( Nothing sinister i can assure you ) . I could talk all day about the best place i have ever worked it was wonderful place with wonderful people staff and residents alike . If i could i would live it all over again only this time i would take more pictures and video’s so everyone could see how great it was . As for tormented spirit’s i don’t think so, tormented sometimes when alive maybe !!! But i know for a fact there was one i had an encounter with on two occasions who was very mischievous ( pinching my bum on both !!!)
• 

  Bernard WOODLAND, March 5, 2016 @ 14:46

  Bernard
  My grandmpther was admitted to the hospital between 1919-1923 when she died,she left two children behind my father & his sister, my cousins and I are trying to find out
  1/ where she was buried. 2/when she was admitted & for what. 3/who looked after our parents. Sadly our grandfather was killed in France 1915. I have found the comments
  & information by others very interesting & helpful.
• 

  Maggie, January 3, 2016 @ 18:59

  My grandmother was put in the asylum in 1925. She died there in the 1950s. I did not know I had a living grandmother until quite recently . She died when I was about 11 years old. I still do not know why she was there. She was married and had her fourth child shortly before being put away. Family members have tried to access the records but have been denied them. What are they trying to hide? was she away for post natal depression? was she depressed, what happened to her? none of her generation remain alive. i think we should be allowed access to these records.
• 

  tumbles, September 21, 2015 @ 08:49

  There are still 3 asylums operating in South Wales and to be honnest perhaps keeping a few more of them wasn’t such a bad idea as care in the community doesn’t always have its place.
• 

  Nikki, September 20, 2015 @ 11:17

  Having visited Pen-y-Fal yesterday, I was amazed at the size of it. On getting home I looked it up on the Internet and that’s how I found all of the comments. An amazing building (and to think it was originally like a village!) but who’s history is so full of sadness. I live in an old property and Katie I can understand your experience 100%. I was lucky enough to know somebody who was able to clear the trapped spirits there must be many lost soles in that Pen-y-Fan(not everyone is able to pick up on spirits. ) personally I think it has a sad history and thank goodness we don’t have asylums any more
• 

  sue, July 20, 2015 @ 10:37

  hi Judith I see you worked with a patient at pen y fal hosp did you know my aunt doris cox ? she was at pen y fal from 1974 until the eighties when she died there
  im trying to find someone maybe staff who may have knew her ?
• 

  Judith Say, January 27, 2015 @ 15:30

  Hi Phil

  I worked with Frank in the early to mid eighties, he was a very quiet chap with an enigmatic smile. He loved nothing more than sitting with a piece of paper and a pencil, he was a very talented artist who spent days on each picture paint great attention to each tiny detail
• 

  Sue Freitag, December 3, 2014 @ 12:05

  The Asylum Records are held at

  Gwent Archives
  Steelworks Road
  Ebbw Vale
  Blaenau Gwent
  NP23 6DN

  Telephone Enquiries

  01495 353363

  I don’t know if there is any closure period on individual records but I have the records for my great great grandfather who died there in 1879. They include when he was, admitted, by whom and why along with details of his medical records.
• 

  Phil Redding, August 29, 2014 @ 22:29

  Frank Frederick Cross was my uncle (my mothers brother). Born in 1905 in Birmingham, he moved to Rogerstone , Mon. at the age of about 2 yrs. Having lost his elder brother in WW1 when he (Frank) was just 13 yrs. old, he then lost his mother, Eleanor Cross when he was 17. Frank also had four sisters and a younger brother,all of whom had left home except one, the youngest sister, by the time his mother had died. It seems that Charles Cross, Franks father was left with a young girl to look after whilst Frank was virtually left to roam the streets.
  For whatever the reason, Frank was subsequently committed to Abergavenny Asylum in his late teens. He remained there and later at Pen-y-Fal until he died aged 89 in 1994.
  As was often the case in those days, none of the family ever spoke of him or refused to discuss him since it was regarded as a great stigma.
  I have been unable to find any records of Frank during his incarceration; I do not know who committed him or why; or if anyone ever visited him.
  What I do know is that he was an extremely talented artist and I have about a dozen quite amazing drawings which he did as a young man; he was also a talented musician and played several musical instruments. I also have a small wooden shield commemorating the Investiture of the Prince of Wales which was awarded to Frank for “winning something” in 1969 whilst in Abergavenny.
  When Frank died it was arranged that he should be buried in the churchyard of St. Johns Church in Rogerstone; I believe this was arranged by his youngest sister. I have been told that he was so well thought of that several of the hospital staff who had cared for him attended his funeral. ……, though no relatives were there! Ironically, Franks grave is at the opposite end of the churchyard to that where his parents are both buried.
  I only discovered all this in the last year since studying my ancestry. I have visited his grave several times; this man I never knew and have no idea what he even looked like. How I would love to find someone, anyone who might have cared for him; who could tell me more about him and possibly, even have a photograph of him. Possibly ex-staff of Pen-y-Fal. I have been in touch with the Archives Office in Ebbw Vale and all they can tell me is that his records are probably lost or destroyed.
  How sad it all is. Can anyone help?
  Phil Redding.
• 

  Jenny Canvin, August 5, 2013 @ 20:21

  Hi, I was born in Pen-y-fal hospital in 1951 i am looking for others who were born in Pen-y-fal to hear about their experiences it would be lovely to chat to them. Remember that their is no stigma today. Anyone out there please get in touch…
• 

  jennie, June 9, 2013 @ 20:18

  My Grandfather Henry Mullins was placed in Pen-Y Fal because he fell down the hold on a ship. He died in 1935 and it wasn’t until later my Grandmother found this out! I went to the county records office but his records are closed for about another 20 years & I could be dead by then!
  Henry was buried in the woods, so when my Mum died she was cremated and we bought her ashes there and placed them very near the monument that stands. She is under the gravestone (not hers) to the right of the monument!
  I love these photos that are posted, thanks for sharing them.
• 

  sue lewis, June 9, 2013 @ 19:56

  hi rob im also trying to find out info on my aunt ive found a number for gwent archives
  01495353363 hope it is of some help
• 

  rob, May 27, 2013 @ 17:56

  Hi,
  can anyone please help. i would like to Find if possible the (Patients Records)
  for Pen-y-Fal Hospital, Abergavenny – i,e – Patient Names, – Dates Incarcerated, etc.. Does anyone know where i can access this information.? Reason i ask, i want to find out about a Cousin of My Late Dad, She was put there for something i believe was a Minor incident.Sadly she died there in 1956. My Late Mum went to visit her when we were very young, and the story goes my Mum came home crying and Very Sad, as my Dads cousin begged my Mum to take her home. there’s a lot more i could say, but for now, please if you can Guide me to what i would like to Research, about her. God Bless her always. Rob
• 

  Antonia, February 7, 2013 @ 23:31

  I live on the grounds of the hospital in the town houses and I’m very interested in the history of the hospital. I’ve been scouring the Internet for information and photos of what it used to look like. To my amazement it was huge. Not only was it the converted building but from looking at a aerial photo it was like a village. I was shocked by the amount of buildings!! I noticed that there was chimneys?? What were they incinerating??? Also there is now a monument remembering the 3000 patience who died between 1850 and 1950. Where were they originally buried?? If they were buried ? In those days u were put in the asylum for the littlest things so I can’t imagine that they were buried with much care and attention. Any info is more than welcome.
• 

  Maurice, December 13, 2012 @ 19:54

  Since my last comment in August the Residents’ Association has raised sufficient funds during the Jubilee celebrations to pay for a commemorative tree to be planted in the garden.
  This was done on 25th November. A 14ft Oak Tree planted by the oldest and youngest person living on the private development. There are still no ghosts and it is still a happy place to live.
• 

  sue lewis, September 11, 2012 @ 10:27

  my aunt was a patient at pen y fal hosp for a number of years as a teenager i visted everymonth from bristol each time i visted she was moved to a different ward ?lasttime i saw her she was on a ward called m9a?her name was doris may cox any nurses who worked there remember her ? please get in touch
• 

  Maurice, August 28, 2012 @ 21:01

  My wife and I bought our apartment in the old hospital building some 10 years ago. We had some reservations about the history of the building and wondered if we would feel a sense of sadness here. I am delighted to say that it is a very happy place to live with no sad memories. the refurbishment was carried out with some consideration for the history of the place and in keeping with the listed status. We are a very active community with a Residents’ Association that has been a great help to all. The help that is given to neighbour by neighbour is tremendous and we look forward to remaining here for some time to come. We appreciate that many bad and sad things will have happened here but the will have been typical of the time. There are no ghosts or strange things happening. remember the contractors came mainly from cardiff via Redrow and they normally do not venture anywhere North of caerphilly mountain or they get lost.
• 

  Gwyneth Evans, August 20, 2012 @ 19:00

  I did my triaining in Penyfal and yes children were born there their crime was that their Mum was umarried. When I did my trianing they were around about aged 50 nd had never known anything else but the hospital. Im not suprised it is haunted as it housed such tormented minds
• 

  katie, May 2, 2011 @ 11:11

  i lived in the lodge for over a year that was long enough! the things i seen and heard i wouldnt want to wish upon anyone. doors slamming footsteps running across the floors children crying, the upstairs door slamming closed on me while trying to enter the bedroom i would lie awake for hours listening out for the next thing to happen in floods of tears begging them to go away. no one would stay at the house with me until one night i cracked and booked in to a hotel then left the house altogether i wish who ever lives at this house all tha best because you will need it
• 

  dean, May 6, 2010 @ 09:21

  i worked on the renovation of pen y fal for redrow homes a couple of years ago and on new homes surrounding the main hospital , there were a lot of different trades and labourers that used to chat about strange things going on like the time some guys were working in the grounds and heard some children playing and laughing on the other side of one of the stone walls this continued for some time so one of the guys went over to see what they were doing there on his inspection there were no children to be seen , occurances like this was quite common at the time , my mother worked there in the eighties and i remember her saying that children were born there and lived there with their mothers and that it was haunted ??????????

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.