Building Name

Blair Convalescent Hospital Hospital Road Bromley Cross Bolton

Date
1884 - 1887
District/Town
Bromley Cross, Bolton
County/Country
GMCA, England
Work
New Build

CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL, BOLTON-LE-MOORS. - Stephen Blair, who died in 1870 aged 67, left £20,000 for the erection and furnishing of a "free hospital for sick persons without restrictions to sect" and another ,10,000 for investments to form an endowment, under condition that if a site was not provided within a fixed time, the gift would lapse. A suitable plot was eventually given by Mr Knowles, the site of five acres above Toppings Road, Bromley Cross to the north of Bolton, was pleasantly situated, sloping to the south and west. The trustees appointed Medland and Henry Taylor as architects and they provided a design comprising three departments for men women and children with a central administration block. Preliminary works comprising boundary walls, levelling and foundations were let to Thornton and Sons of Liverpool. The buildings were completed in 1887.

IN the year 1870, Mr Stephen Blair left £30,000 to build and endow a convalescent hospital near Bolton, under the condition that, if a site were not given or provided within a fixed time, the gift would lapse. Mr Knowles has just given a most suitable plot of five acres in time to prevent the legacy from becoming void. The building, as now designed by Messrs Medland and Henry Taylor, architects, is divided into three departments for men, women, and children, with a central administrative block. Since 1870, the money has been well invested, and has greatly increased in amount; so that a larger and more complete hospital, duly endowed, can be erected. [British Medical Journal 30 August 1884 page 446]

GIFT OF A CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL TO BOLTON. In the year 1870 the sum of £30,000 was left by the late Mr. Stephen Blair, of Bolton-le-Moors, to build and endow a convalescent hospital near that town, under the condition that if a site was not given or provided within a fixed time, the gift would lapse, Mr. Blair, not being able legally to leave money for the purchase of land, and the money would go to the family of the testator's brother, Mr. Harrison Blair. The Trustees are Mr. Harrison Blair, the Rev. Canon Powell, Mr. Charles Wolfenden, Mr. Thomas Glaister, Mr. W. Hargreaves, and Mr. J. Hick. Mainly throuerh the exertions of those who would have benefited had the site not been given, a suitable plot of five acres Was found, just in time to prevent the legacy becoming void. Mr. Knowles most generously gave the land — a plot pleasantly situated to the north of Bolton, and about halfway between Mr. Greg's house and Bromley Cross Station. The land slopes towards the south and west, and the country round about is attractive. Since the year 1870 the money has been well invested and has greatly increased in amount, so that a larger and more compete hospital, duly endowed, can be erected. Tbe trustees have engaged the services of Messrs. Medland and Henry j Taylor as architects. The building, as now designed, is divided into three departments, for men, women, and children, with a central administrative block. The preliminary works of levelling, foundations, and boundary walling have been already let to Messrs. W. Thornton and Sons, of Liverpool, and are to be pushed on with as much speed as may be. [Manchester Courier 9 August 1884 page 13]

BOLTON - The Blair Convalescent Hospital, which has been erected as a result of the munificence of the late Mr. Stephen Blair, formerly M.P. for Bolton, at Bromley Cross, near Bolton, is now practically completed, and will shortly be opened for the free admission of convalescents “without limit of domicile.” The late Mr. Stephen Blair died in 1870, and by his will he bequeathed £30,000, £20,000 of which was to be devoted to the erection of the building, and £10,000 for endowment purposes, on condition that within three years of his death a suitable site was given. The late Mr. James Knowles, J.P., of Eagley, near Bolton, generously gave the site of five acres, on which the building is erected. The commission for the new building, etc., was placed in the hands of Mr. Medland Taylor, architect, of Manchester. According to the Manchester Courier the hospital is divided into three portions. The central block contains the matron’s rooms, the administrative offices, the dining-room, the library, etc, whilst the male quarters are to the east, and those for the females and children on the west. In each case there are fine dayrooms, the children being in a separate room, and the men have also a smoke-room. The J arrangements are most carefully planned, individual privacy being attended to. The frontage, which extends 240 feet, is Gothic style, courses of red brick with terra cotta ornamentation being alternated with the coursed stone of which the hospital is built. [Builder 3 December 1887 page 788]

Stephen Blair was head of the bleaching firm of Blair and Sumner, oneā€‘time councillor, mayor and MP for the borough of Bolton, and well known as a generous benefactor to all deserving causes.

Reference        Manchester Guardian 6 August 1884 page 5
Reference        British Medical Journal 30 August 1884 page 446
Reference        Manchester Courier 9 August 1884 page 13
Reference        Lancaster Gazette 9 August 1884 page 7 – repeat of Manchester Courier
Reference        Builder 3 December 1887 page 788
Reference        nationalarchives.gov.uk › Hospital Records Database