This blog has been researched and written by Hilary Love, one of the volunteers on our maternity care project. Project volunteers are researching maternity care in Northumberland with particular focus on Castle Hills Maternity Home, Berwick, and Mona Taylor Maternity Home, Stannington. We are also researching in less detail some of the other Maternity Homes in the county. This blog about Dilston Hall is one of a series that we will post about some of the other Homes. The project is supported by the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Bright Charity and the Northumberland Archives Charitable Trust. We will be posting more blog content from the project over the coming months.
A new hall was built at Dilston in 1835 after the estates had been passed to Greenwich Hospital. When the estates were sold, Dilston was bought by Lord Allendale. In 1878, Dilston House was built and this is now occupied by one of the present Lord Allendale’s sons. After he moved to Bywell in 1942, Lord Allendale granted the Hall for use as a maternity refuge for Newcastle hospitals. The Dilston Maternity Home became established and remained until 1965 when it transferred to a new unit at Hexham General Hospital. After this the Hall was used for the education of children with learning difficulties and in 1971, MENCAP became the owners of Dilston Hall, including the Church and ruined castle. It is now known as Dilston College for the Education of Teenagers with Learning Difficulties. (Taken from The Northumberland Village Book, written by members of Northumberland Federation of W.I.s.)
A letter from Dr. Hart, Obstetric Surgeon, in July 1948, outlines some statistics of use at that time:
Admissions – 600
Discharges – 596
Deliveries – 563
Still Births – 16
Neo-natal Deaths – 7
Caesarian Sections – 12
Abortions -3
Maternal Deaths – 2
A report of the Hexham and District Hospital Management Committee in March 1949 records the increasing shortage of nursing staff (a familiar concern in 2023!) so numbers of bookings were restricted. 100 cases were booked per month and about 15 placed on the waiting list.
The Hospital was taken over by the Regional Hospital Board on 5th July 1948 which meant cases could be admitted without considering county boundaries. Ante-natal Clinics were held and women encouraged to attend. Clinics were also held at Throckley and Forest Hall. 85% of admitted cases had been seen, preventing many complications. X-rays were done at Hexham General. Post-natal care consisted of an examination on 9th day after birth and some had a second examination after six weeks if they lived near a clinic.
A draft copy of a report by P. H. Knighton, Architect to the Hospital Board, dated 17 February 1950, considers the pros and cons of the possible acquisition of Dilston Hall. His recommendation was to approach Lord Allendale to find out whether he was willing to sell with a view to its adaptation as a Convalescent Hospital, once alternative and suitable accommodation could be provided for maternity patients.
A poignant and touching memory was recorded by Mr. Alex Hillary, April 6th, 2007, as reported to Susan Hedworth, Community Care Assistant.
“Memories of Baby Burial at Dilston Maternity Hospital.”
“I was a taxi driver at Dilston Hall then…. It was a maternity place then ….and I had to take the dead babies up for post – mortem at Shotley Bridge. They crossed their little arms over their chests, just so, with a flower in the middle, and I would come and wrap the cloth over them, put them on a tray and lay them on the back seat of the taxi. I used to have to take them to the Infirmary in Newcastle, too. Live babies, but maybe with no roof to their mouths. The nurse used to go with them. There’s not one of them came back alive. She said they experimented on them – to make them better you know. But it didn’t work. …….
But I still remember all those babies, laid out in front of the altar in that old chapel they have there. They were so beautiful, some of them. And do you know where they were buried? There’s that cemetery on the back road from Corbridge to Hexham. Well, just over the wall – that’s where they are. Yes, it’s consecrated ground and they put all the unbaptised dead babies there.”
Image Ref: ZMD/148/183
My oldest daughter was born there in 1964, it was a terrible place, plaster falling off the walls and cockroaches scuttling around at night.
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Brenda, I was born there in late 1964. not sure why as we lived in Fenham at the time.
I always wondered why but as I lost my parents in my early 20’s I never got to have those conversations with them.
hello my father was born at dalston. 5 7 42. malcolm hanslip. his mother was eveline Maud hanslip (foster) are there any records kept of these births and the times at the maternity home then?
thankyou
Hello, could you please email your request to archives@northumberland.gov.uk Thank you
My brother was born at Dilston May 11th 1943 and there was deep snow at that time..My Mother was very ill and had blood transfusions but after excellent care she recovered. I always remember they gave her Guinness or similar to drink and she didn’t like it. I was born June 7th1945 with no problems . We lived at Throckey at that time.
Thank you.
I was born there on D-Day Tuesday morning 6 June 1944. Nurses wanted to call me Victor but my mother insisted that I be called Malcolm after my great grandmother Catherine Malcolm. Mother’s name Olive Moffat ,Father:- Herbert William Townson.
Thank you
Martin Stephenson
I was born there, June 9th 1958.
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I was one of the Caesar babies listed. My brother was born the following year 1952.
Thank you.
I was born in Dilston in 1965, I was one of the last babies to be born there.Then My friend worked there when it was a MENCAP establishment.
Thank you.
Catherine Elizabeth Allman
I was born in Dilston March 1963
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Can I ask when you were born there please? I was born there in February 1965. However due to my disability -spina bifida I was transferred to Newcastle. The lady opposite my mum had twins who were so severely disabled they didn’t survive
Hi Lynne, my twin brother and I were born in February 1965 I’m sorry too hear that another set of twins were born severely disabled around the same time.
My dear cousin ,now deceased and my sister were born there in 1942 and 1943 respectively. He wished for his ashes to be scattered there but I do not know if this is possible.
Hello, we would advise you to contact Dilston Hall to see if this is possible.
I was born September 1964 at Dilston. I worked there for Mencap and proceeding companies for 24yrs, left for 3 yrs then went back and still there now. Just can’t keep away…
I was born September 1964 at Dilston. I worked there for Mencap and proceeding companies for 24yrs, left for 3 yrs then went back and still there now. Just can’t keep away… we laid some daffodils in the spring at the alter area for the babies 💖
Thank you 💖
I was very interested seeing the picture of Dilston Maternity Hospital as I was born there in January 1946 when snow prevented my dad from coming to see mum and me.
I did go and view the place 3 years ago as I was keen to see it again and found out it was now a student training college.
Thank you for comment.
I was born there on 15 October 1946
At the time my parents lived in Whitley Bay
Assume local maternity units were full owing to a big surge after the war.
Thank you
I was born there 1948, my Mam hated it, she said the nurses were like sergeant majors
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I was born there in 1950. My Mum said that the place was haunted and a grey lady used to walk there. Has anyone else been told this?
My parents told me that story. I was born there in 1960.
I was born here 19 March 1949
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I was born at Dilston Hall maternity home on August 15th 1962, I now live in the USA and I tell people I was technically born in a castle 🙂
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I was born at Dilston Hall in late December 1962 (the winter of ‘62/‘63 was one of the worst on record). I was removed from my Mother almost immediately for christening as I was born with spina bifida (alas, in the 1960’s life expectancy for those born with the condition was often short); and had ‘remedial’ surgery to close the wound at seven days old. I was one of the lucky ones as here I am 60 years of age (now retired after a professional career) and, save for some wear and tear, I’m still going strong having had a blessed life.
Thank you for that happy story 😊
I was born at Dilston Hall on 25th October 1958.
My parents lived in Shotley Bridge but there weren’t any beds in the local hospital. My father rushed my mother across the moors in his clapped out old mini van and they arrived at Dilston just before 1am. I was born a few minutes later. The midwife called me Rosebud.
Thank you for your information.
My mum was born on the 21st of October 1945 at Dilston Hall Hexam, as she has told us many times. Where would we be able to get more information about this? Looking forward to your reply.
Hello, could you please email your enquiry to archives@northumberland.gov.uk Thank you
I was born in Dilston Hall 30th July 1951. We lived in Jesmond in Newcastle at that time so I guess the hospitals in town were full…. Anyway I’m proud to have Corbridge on my birth certificate… visited it yesterday… it’s such a beautiful village. I now live in Buckingham.
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My father was born at Dilston Hall 24/07/1943. Sadly cancer took him at the tender age of 55, a week after his birthday. Frederick Raymond Hann.
My grandparents lived in Forest Hall all their lives.
Thomas and Ruby Hann
Is there any further information I may be able to read.
Thank you
Hello,
Could you please email your enquiry to archives@northumberland.gov.uk Thank you
Good evening
I was born at Dilston Hall on 3rd January 1943 and still going strong. It seems the place only became a maternity hospital in 1942 so I was one of the early ones. How sad you lost your Da at such a young age. We lived at Runhead then.
Stay well
Ian Edwards
Thank you
My mother, Pauline Ireland, was born at Dilston Hall on 5 December 1940 and I have just recently seen her birth certificate for the first time in my 59 years!
Her parents passed away in 1967.
She just always said she was born in Hexham and I assumed her family were living there at that time so they were safe away from the coast, although they were mostly in the Amble area.
I was born at dilston hall on 29th january 1965 my family lived in winlaton. I’m 58 now and live in rutland
I was born there in 1954, Mum hated it & blamed her treatment for many of her later ailments due to staff actions, fortunately I had good health.
Now I know why I was born so far from home as we lived in Lemington
Hi. You just preceded my birth at Dilston. I was born in February 1965 but due to my disability -spina bifida I was transferred to Newcastle. My mum had to stay at Dilston
I was born at Dilston in February 1958 and though my mother had a few problems and long stay we both left fit and well. I’m now 65, grew up in Prudhoe and now live in the Philippines.
I was born at Dilston Hall 20.08.1947. My mother told me she was supposed to have a caesarean section but when she went into labour the midwife decided she had to give birth naturally. Mother was angry about this for many years.
I was born there 22nd December 1944.
Still hanging on, although I feel a bit like an old jumper slowly unraveling.
I was born at Dilston Hall on 28th April 1953. my parents lived in Gosforth. Both my sister and brother were born in Gosforth . my My mam wouldn’t talk about my birth.
Hi Sheila, I was born at Dilston on the 4th April 1953 and we lived in Cramlington. Dad couldn`t visit as he only had a small motor bike and I was that Easter the snow was so bad. Just started to look at the website this morning for some reason.
Kind Regards
Elaine
I was born there in June 1953 mam lived in Newcastle but all the maternity hospitals were full I remember her telling me my dad wasn’t allowed to go with her and had to get 2 buses after work to visit
I was born Friday 14th October 1949. My mum lived at Bedlington and she never commented on her time there I often wondered why she went to Dilston Hall as visitors would not be able to travel and visit due to cost and accessibility to public transport
I have never visited Dilston Hall but will make the journey soon to reflect.
Thank you for your comment.
I was born at Dalston Hall in 1970. I’ve just had this confirmed by my Mam as I was confused after reading it was closed in 1965. When my Mam was in her last moments of labour and crying out, the midwife told her to stop being such a baby. That really affected her and she’ll still recall this when talking about me as a baby. My folks lived in Ryton and it was strange apparently that I was born in DH so I can only surmise the hospitals were full up. I was brought up in Dorset after my Dad was offered a transfer. I hope to visit this beautiful place some time. Most of my family are still in Gateshead and Newcastle. I’ve always been sad not to have a lyrical Geordie accent and just a boring southern one! I married a Scotsman which is ironic too!
Thank you for your information.
I was born in July 1955 my mother had Tb so she had to conveles for six weeks I was brought home to gateshead by my father and grandmother am proud to say on my birth certificate born Hexham .
Thank you
I was born at Dilston Hall in October 1963, at the time my parents lived at Runhead, Ryton, but separated soon after, I was then brought up with my grandparents in Cumbria. Don’t know a great deal about my mother, my birth or Dilston Hall. Looking to research about it, any info would be much appreciated 👍
Hello, could you please email your request to archives@northumberland.gov.uk Thank you
I was born at Dilston on the 2nd of January 1956. I went home to cherry burn cottages. Mickley. Which is only a few miles away. Ive lived in the midlands since 1961. But i am very proud of my Geordie roots
Thank you for your information.
I was born at 1a.m on Monday 30/01/1956. Apparently I was a bit noisy and nursed would joke that they would throw me out the window into “ Devil’s Water” that flowed below ! Sister born the 24/1/1960!
I was born there in August 1963. My parents were from Jarrow and I lived there till I was 16. My parents now live in South Shields and I now live in North Wales.
I was born here 15th March 1964. I understand my mum was there for several weeks before I was born. She mentioned several ladies she met there. I would love to know more about the place and would like to visit so I can see for myself .
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I was born here on 15th March 1964. I think my mum has been here several weeks before I was born. I’d love to visit
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Researching the family history of a close friend I discovered that she was born at Dilston Hall in October 1949 although the family were living in Bedlington. It is interesting to see the picture and comments above. Thanks for taking the trouble to provide all this useful information
Thank you
I was born at Dilston on 5th May 1942. I have lived all over the world but now aged 81 live nearby in Consett. When we moved here in 2013 I took my Wife to see where I was born but sadly admittance was not possible. I do however feel a great belonging whenever in Corbridge and Dilston area as used to visit my Uncle who lived at Dilston House 300 yards from the Hall.
I was born at Dilston on 5th May 1942. I have lived all over the world but now aged 81 live nearby in Consett. When we moved here in 2013 I took my Wife to see where I was born but sadly admittance was not possible. I do however feel a great belonging whenever in Corbridge and Dilston area as used to visit my Uncle, Eric Lesley Champness who lived at Dilston House 300 yards from the Hall.
Thank you
I was born 02 06 1941 at Dilston Hall, as you can gather IM 82 years old, on my homey moon I went back for the First time, to see where I was born, that was 13 04 1963, I just stood at the Gate, I believe it had changed by then, Never been back since, aIthough I have been back to HEXHAM, Take Care R.E.M.E. RETD.
Thank you.
My mam was prescribed bed rest because of a heart problem and I was born via Caesarian in Feb 57.
Doctor nicked rhe back of my neck, still have the scar.
Mam had to have major heart surgery in Edinburgh later that year. Luckily we had the NHS . and it saved her life.
My parents lived in Lemington. My sister was born dead there in 1954 and I was born there on June 27 th 1955
I now live in Connecticut in-the U. S
Does anyone know whether the taxi driver’s story about where the babies were buried is true?
So interesting to find this website about Dilston Hall. I was born there July 1947. My ‘backcountry ‘ mother was living with her in-laws while my Father was retraining after the war. He rejoined the RAF and I became a fragrant…Mum didn’t have good memories of her time there, but when visiting family we did drive there. Last visit 6 years ago with my husband. Still a lovely area. Beautiful Northumberland.
Now live in Devon.
Thank you
I was born there on 1st March 1955. I often wondered why because at the time we lived in Dunston and there were nearer maternity units.
I was born at Dilston Hall 4 May 1955 (May the fourth be with you 🙂 ). Mother’s name was Elsie Morpeth. I don’t know any other information about her time there but not long after she was placed in a mental institution and me and my three sisters were placed into care. After seven years in a kids home I was eventually fostered by a lovely family till I went in the Navy. Years later I found her in a flat in Uttoxeter; I took my three daughters to meet her. She still had mental health issues – she showed me a photo of a little blond boy and said proudly ‘that’s my Alan, he’s in the Navy you know’.
Went for a visit to Dilston Hall a few years ago when it was owned by Mencap. Interesting that so many disabled children were born there, some in secretive circumstances. Also interesting there may be a ghost there too. Sad to hear quite a few mothers may have had quite cruel treatment from nurses there; it does make me wonder if my mother did too.
Thanks for setting up this blog, quite nice to hear from a few other Dilstoners
Kind regards Alan Dixon
Thank you.
Hi Alan,I was born in Dilston Hall 6th May 1955 so we would have been there the same time.We lived in Winlaton Mill and the Gateshead Newcastle maternity hospitals were full.
My Mam never mentioned any bad treatment but it was common in those days.I’m proud of my Hexham birth certificate.Sorry your Mam got Ill
I was born there on the 12th August 1943. My neighbour Alan Mitchell was born there the day before me on 11th August 1943. My name was Mary Hall from north shield
Thank you.
Thank you
My wife Jean was born there I think on the 16th of March 1942. Her maiden name was Carruthers and her mother came from Wallsend. It was quite a thing wh3n people looked at her passport and saw she was born at Dalston Hall, someone special they thought and they were right.
My wife Jean was born there I think on the 16th of March 1942. Her maiden name was Carruthers and her mother came from Wallsend. It was quite a thing when people looked at her passport and saw she was born at Dilston Hall, someone special they thought and they were right.
Thank you.
I was born there on 27April 1945 and at the time my parents lived in Spittal which seems to be the furthest anyone travelled for maternity care . We moved to Shotley bridge when I was 3
My mam was born here 23-11-1940. my grandma’s was taken there during the war for a safe place to have my mam. I am going to visit this weekend with them in mind x
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hi my mum was born here to a single mum out of wedlock in June 1965.
she was then adopted at 5 weeks old my my grandparents. All I know is she was 15 to 16 and she basically was forced to adopt my mum . my grandmother (adoptive) asked her if this was what she really wanted when she passed my mum over in floods of tears. my uncle witnessed it and said it was distressing. she replied yes she needs a good life which I can’t give her. my mum is a closed book about it and I don’t want to push her for more information but she was named Nicola 5/6/1965 my biological grandmother would now be 75 so I am now curious to find out about my long lost relatives. having my own baby made me think of her! must of been awful. I may have uncles aunts cousins etc . I think it’s normal for me to be curious but I don’t have the right to push my mum for information she said what I find out is up to me, and I need to not let her know about what I do or find out. if anyone sees this who thinks they have any information. as far as I know there was just one baby but I’ve seen a book with a pair of twins that found out they were twins and their birth certificates were not right . makes me curious what was going on then I’m sure there will of been multiple births and some of those people will never know because during that time adoption was not like it is today. I’ve not seen anyone else talking about the forced adoptions that happened. however they did of course. very sad . feel sad for what my grandmother had to endure. I’m sure it’s affected her throughout her life.
I was born at Dilston Hall in June 1957. My parents lived at Scotswood and dad used to tell me he had to get a bus to Corbridge and then walk over fields to get to the hospital. Just as well it was summer time!
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I was born there in 1961. My family lived in Shotley Bridge and I remember my father telling
me that there was heavy snow and ice on the roads that night. On his way, he rolled the car
but luckily escaped injury. He still managed to get to Dilston Hall, though he never told mum
until a few days later after.
I was born there in 1961. My family lived in Shotley Bridge and I remember my father telling
me that there was heavy snow and ice on the roads that night. On his way, he rolled the car
but luckily escaped injury. He still managed to get to Dilston Hall, though he never told mum
until a few days later.
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hi was born there in 1955,under the care of a mr Harvey evers my mother told me
My mum was born here on the 17th of July 1948 my gran was mad because she had to miss the miners picnic my mum is very proud to of been born here.
Hi I was born at Dilston hall 16/08/1958, just today I went up with my wife and one of my daughters to see the place. It is all gated off so couldn’t see a lot, it would have been very nice to see the property were I was born many moons ago. One very proud Northumbrian.
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My oldest daughter was born at Dilston Hall on 5th December 1962. I’m unable to tell her about her birth I remember nothing very much about it. I was only 18 and very naive. My daughter did a bit of research and we’ve realised I must have been given twilight sleep. She was born during the night but I didn’t see her until the next morning. I’ve had five children and remember all of their births except the first.
Thank you
I was born here on 18th april 1958 my parents lived in Greenside where i,m still living.
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I was born at Dilston Hall on April 27, 1943. My mother, Mary Rita Pedersen, (maiden name: Condron) was from Drogheda, in Ireland. She was married to Hans Christian Pedersen, a Danish sailor. They lived in either New Castle or South Shields at the time. My younger sister was born on August 1, 1945 in Drogheda. The following year we moved to Denmark where I grew up. I have lived in the United States since 1965.
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I was born at Dilston Hall on the 2nd June 1941. My mother, Elzabeth (Lilly) Storey ws a district nurse and midwife livng in Blyth. We have the register of the many home deliveries she carried out in the Blyth area during the 1930 and 40’s.
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It’s been fascinating reading the stories about Dilston Hall Maternity Hospital but I note that no one has mentioned Newton Hall Ante-Natal Hostel.
My parents tried for a baby for 6 years until my mother, Nellie Mavis Sturrock, fell pregnant in 1943. They lived in Cullercoats where my mother hoped to give birth to me. She was over-ruled by her doctor, Dr Sparks, who arranged for her to go to Newton Hall where, in his words (according to my mother), “you will be well looked after and fed on the fat of the land”. Newton Hall still exists but was sold to a private school who renamed it Mowden Hall.
Mam reached Newton Hall on the 27th December 1943 and transferred to Dilston Hall, six miles away, on the 3rd of January 1944, I appeared on the 4th. She stayed in Dilston Hall until the 15th of January.
Those were the days of no NHS and I have two receipts relating to expenses incurred. Newton Hall charged One Pound One Shilling for “maintenance”; Dilston Hall charged Two Pounds Fifteen Shillings for their services. Both receipts were issued by the Midwives, Maternity and Child Welfare Committee of Northumberland County Council.
I don’t think my parents would have been able to pay the amounts charged and suspect the bill was picked up by my Grandfather. I think it more than likely that he also paid for the cost of getting to and from the two places.
Like many others, I have also tried to visit the place of my birth but no access is allowed. It seems a pity that we can’t even get a glimpse of the building.
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I was born here 31/5/1963 and was a c section. All turned out well. My mother Elizabeth Park (nee Hettle)was from Shotley bridge and trained there as a nurse. She then became a midwife training at Durham and worked as a nurse in Singapore and Germany and community midwife in Norfolk where she retired from community midwifery at 60. She has fond memories of Dilston Hall.
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My husband was born at Dilston Hall November 2 1940. I think his mother had been evacuated from Whitley Bay. They returned to Whitley Bay and he grew up there. Having moved around the UK, we have now been in the USA for 40 years.
Thank you.
I was born at dilston Hall on the 29th of July 1964 my mam was a nurse, we lived in blackhill at the time I don’t know why I was born here