Withington Hospital...

When they reorganised medical care in Manchester they concentrated the care in the southern part of the city at Manchester Royal Infirmary and Wytenshawe, building so called super hospitals. The third big hospital, Withington, was closed down. They have built a new, smaller hospital on the corner of Nell Lane and Burton Road but it's nothing like the scale of the old Withington Hospital.

So what to do with this huge piece of land between affluent Didsbury and trendy Chorlton? Well rip most of it down of course and build expensive housing. All the tatty 60s buildings were demolished and have been replaced by modern apartment blocks on tree lined roads (the mature trees were kept as well).

Not all the buildings were torn down, the rather grand entrance buildings on Nell Lane were retained, as were some of the more attractive, older ward buildings. They are now well appointed houses and apartments within walking distance of the independent restaurants along Burton Road.

I haven't been to this hospital in years but it has an important place in my heart because it was where I first saw the light of day.