View report page

The area of the site, on which there had been a Tannery for over 200 years, was
1.36 acres. The only building remaining was a four-storey block constructed in 1941 the
the structure of which, although damaged by fire and vandalism, was sound.
The new development comprised three separate units or houses:
Crispin House
The remaining four-storey factory block was especially modified for use as a
training centre for mentally subnormal adults. The Centre, known as Crispin House, can
accommodate 180 trainees from about 16 years of age. The purpose of the centre is to
stimulate social, manual and intellectual developments, training being organised into three
groups to achieve this aim, namely:
Education and general social integration
Domestic science and its specific social problems
Workshop training and its specific social problems
One floor of the building has been allocated to each of these activities.
The first floor workroom is equipped with light industrial machinery and tools;
industrial firms supply the work for which they pay an agreed rate. The competitive urge
is fostered not only to increase production but also to stimulate the team spirit.
Trainees on the second floor attend Education Classes where they are given talks
under the general heading of communication, independence, and social integration. The
talks are illustrated with pictures, practical demonstrations and, where possible, visits to
shops, cafes, municipal buildings and other suitable places of interest.
Domestic science training is undertaken on the third floor. Here a demonstration
flat is incorporated where trainees can be taught laundering, cleaning, cooking, serving
meals and table manners. A room equipped with sewing machines is used for instruction
in "make-do and mend", knitting and sewing. Whilst most of these are practical lessons, the
"Three R's" are involved in shopping for the cookery class, the weighing of ingredients
and dress-making, The mezzanine floor, which has been added to the orignal strueture,
The mezzanine floor, which has been added to the original structure, incorporates
the trainees' quiet and recreation room together with the medical room and staff room.
The clerical and administrative staff for the group of buildings also have offices on this
floor.
The main entrance hall is at ground floor level. The lower ground floor houses the
dining room which is large enough to accommodate all the trainees at one sitting. The
dining room is served direct from the central kitchen by way of the servery counter. The
kitchen serves both this dining room and the one used by the elderly mentally infirm in
Evelyn Coyle House.
Evelyn Coyle House
Evelyn Coyle House incorporates a day centre and hostel for elderly mentally
infirm persons. Both wings of the building are at lower ground floor level in common
with Crispin House. Up to 40 persons can be employed on light work in the large
workroom of the day centre. Some of those attending the day centre are temporarily
53