Armley Grange House

Armley Grange House is a listed building built in the early 1800s by John Wilson (known as Squire Wilson). He married the daughter of Samuel Eyres, an Armley Mill owner. Their son Samuel Eyres Wilson owned the estate 1901. Squire Wilson’s wife survived him and married the vicar of Woodhouse the Rev. Kettlewell who lived at the house up until and after her death in 1868. After that time The Grange has been tenanted by Mr. Illingworth of Illingworth and Ingham.

Later Mr. William Cliffe of Leeds Fireclay, Edwin Woodhouse J.P. who have all lived at the house from 1896. There are two lodges, one in Stanningley Road and the other on the Hill Top side of the estate. It was sold in the early 1920s when Armley Grange Drive was built. In the recent past, the house has been connected with the local social services department.

The House is currently occupied by the Leeds branch of the Alzheimer’s Society. Downstairs houses the Armley Grange Day Centre and upstairs is the Leeds branch office which offers a Carers’ Support Service for carers of people with dementia and an Outreach service for younger people with dementia.

The former occupation centre is now used by the Leeds Centre for Integrated Living (LCIL) who provide services to people with physical/serious impairment,learning difficulties, people with mental health issues and people with AIDS and HIV.

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Extract from the Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1954

South Leeds Occupation Centre (Mrs. K. Taylor) –

This Centre has fully justified its establishment four years ago for the occupation of older girls as they leave the junior occupation centres and who are unfit for employment. Light domestic tasks are carried out, needlework and embroidery, rug and mat making. A noticeable feature of the centre is an improvement in the deportment as the result of dancing and movement which is regularly practised. They are also trained to take care of their personal appearance and generally make themselves socially adaptable. Coach excursions and pantomime visits have been arranged.

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Extract from the Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1959.

Armley Grange Occupation Centre (Mrs. K. Taylor)

The number of girls and women attending the centre at the end of the year was 50. Four new patients were admitted during the year and one was transferred to the Pioneer Laundry. The average during the year was 92 per cent. During the year the girls attained a high standard of handcraft and domestic work, four of the girls earning awards at the International Handcraft Competition which was held in London in September. The centre is never without orders for articles the girls produce in the handcraft classes.

Full advantage was taken of the exceptional summer and many hours were spent in outdoor activities in the garden and grounds and in walks in the local park. An interesting and enjoyable day was spent at the Zoological Gardens, Belle Vue, Manchester and the annual outing to Whitby was much enjoyed. A very successful garden party was held in July.

We are grateful to the Parents’ Association for the Christmas Party which they provided for the girls on 9th December, complete with Father Christmas and gifts for everyone. The annual open night and concert was held on 16th December and was well attended by parents and friends.

The staff have attended various lectures connected with work at the centre and also a full course of country dancing. The Parent – Teacher Association continued to meet throughout the year and had three very enjoyable social evenings.

The work of this centre continues to arouse a great deal of interest and several deputations from other authorities were received during the year.

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Extract from the Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1955.

Armley Grange (Mrs. K.Taylor) – This building which previously housed the children who have been transferred to the new centre at Stanningley, has been structurally altered by the Works Department and tastefully decorated. Girls from the South Leeds Occupation Centre will be transferred to this modernised building on reopening after the Christmas vacation. The centre has continued to function in an informal and homely atmosphere. Most of the girls have been taught to darn, sew on buttons and do simple repairs. Various types of rug making, knitting and embroidery have been done during the year realising £150. Light domestic duties are carried out which include sweeping, dusting, table laying and the washing of crockery and cutlery, and also the preparation of vegetables.

The annual visit to the pantomime is a source of great delight to these older girls, and also outings to the sea and country are thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. There are forty two girls on the register and the efficient car service has largely contributed to the high attendance.

The whist drives and dances held approximately once a month from October to April by the Parents Association, have been very popular.

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Extract from the Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1962.

Armley Grange Senior Training Centre (Mrs. K. Taylor) –

1962 was quite a successful year. All patients were trained to help with the domestic duties at the Centre, and no outside help was employed.

£250 of handcrafts were sold and this is an increase of the £100 on the previous year. Considering that 92 per cent of the patients are severely subnormal this is a remarkable achievement and speaks well for the efforts and patience of the staff, as all work sold is of a high standard.

A singing and dancing display was given for the National Association of Teachers of the Mentally Handicapped, and all were impressed by the very high standard.

46 of the 52 girls are incapable of making their own way to the centre and are transported by car and minibus with a staff escort. There have been six new admissions, but six withdrawals have kept the number on roll static at 52.

We had a most enjoyable day at Bridlington in June, and in September we visited the Blackpool Illuminations. We had our annual “Open Night” for parents on 19th December, and ended the term with the usual Christmas Dinner Party.

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Extract from the Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1963.

Armley Grange Senior Training Centre (Mrs. K. Taylor) –

There were 48 patients on the register at the beginning of the year and 57 at the end of December. During the year nine new girls were admitted, one was transferred to the Pioneer Laundry and three to Meanwood Park Hospital. The average attendance for the year was 93 per cent. All staff do daily escort duties in the cars and mini buses.

The production of handwork has increased; more girls are able to do skilled work at a high standard of workmanship and we sold approximately £300 worth of goods.

All patients take turns with the domestic duties and receive a small weekly remuneration.

We had an enjoyable and sunny day at Bridlington in June and a pleasant tour of the Dales in September. There were four 21st Birthday Parties during the year, and our Christmas Dinner Party concluded a very happy and successful year.