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Last Tuesday, some of our research group came together to discuss their findings, debate the direction of their work and meet with historian Mike Mantin. We debated press and propaganda of institutions and the disparity with how their members may have seen them from the inside.
Grace MT’s archive findings brought up interesting references to sleepy sickness and we discovered that the Guild admitted people with this condition, also described by Oliver Sacks in ‘Awakening’. More to follow on sleepy sickness soon!
Educative Convalescence was a programme to support some of the 240,000 British soldiers who lost limbs as a result of the fighting in WW1
Our speaker Mike Mantin wrote a dissertation on the Guild pre WW1, and has great knowledge about the history of disability, especially in relation to Bristol’s heritage. Mike pointed us towards some key sources and shared beautiful insights. One that was new to me was ‘educative convalescence’ which occurred at Chailey Heritage Craft School, set up by the Guild’s Grace Kimmins.
Mike Mantin
This programme was to support some of the 240,000 British soldiers who lost limbs as a result of the fighting in WW1. From Princess Louise Military Hospital, the men would take part in activities with disabled children. The idea was that soldiers and children could learn and play alongside each other in a safe and instructive environment.