The octagonal flag tower at the castle is an interesting feature and it was here that the laboratories and a dispensary were located – at a price. The Free Press of 1918 carried a report about the room that became the dispensary. This was said to be thirty ft. in diameter and approached by a spiral staircase. The walls, 1,350 sq. ft. in extent, from floor to ceiling, had been painted in oils by a Mr. W.H. Buxton of St. Asaph, with forest scenery, landscapes, pools and rocks. The entrance door had been disguised as a ruined sandstone archway overgrown with ivy. This work had been commissioned to provide a backcloth to a poetic legend given by Mrs. George Cornwallis West as a recitation. Unfortunately, this striking feature was lost when the walls were covered by cupboards.

It was also said that a golf course was under construction, though both local clubs were already in existence at that time. It would appear, however, that Duff House had closer links with the Pwllglas course. Several members of staff became key members of that club and, indeed, one grateful patient funded the original portion of the present club house in 1935. Another wealthy patient funded the construction of Scott House in the castle grounds in 1931 to provide accommodation for the many nurses.

Dr Edmund Spriggs, knighted (awarded KCVO) in 1935, was Senior Physician at Duff House, Banff, in 1923 and later at Ruthin Castle, earning for himself a distinguished reputation. Born in Leicestershire in 1871, and educated at Market Harborough Grammar School, he graduated with honours in 1896 at Guy's Medical School. On leaving school he had intended to become a dentist. He undertook research at Heidelberg and later took up a post as Physician at St. George's Hospital, becoming Dean of its Medical School. He did a great deal of writing and lecturing, both here and in the USA.

He was unfortunate in his personal life. He first married in 1905, and he suffered prolonged ill-health in 1910/11 and in 1930. There were four children from this marriage, the two eldest being daughters. In 1919, both daughters, aged 13 and 11, were involved in a bathing tragedy at Banff and drowned. His wife died in 1932.

His second marriage took place in 1936 and by this time his two sons had themselves become doctors. By then, Sir Edmund was well-known and his advice much sought by royalty and leading personalities of the day. He contributed, however, to a much wider arena than the medical and made important contributions to diverse aspects of local life. He was High Sheriff for Denbighshire in 1945 and 1946, was a magistrate in both Banff and Ruthin, keenly supported the Boy Scouts movement, was a governor of Ruthin School, and contributed greatly to local cultural activities. He was keen on all manner of sports and especially keen on the country sports of shooting and fishing. Quite remarkably, he learned to speak Welsh fluently and was able to address a distinguished gathering in that language.

Sir Edmund retired in 1945 and took up residence at the ancient dwelling Coed Marchon, which he had rescued from its roofless, ruinous state. He died on 4th February 1949, having been pre-deceased by his second wife a little earlier on the same day. There was a private funeral service and interment at Llanrhydd for both Sir Edmund and Lady Spriggs. Later, there was a memorial service at St. Peter's Church, attended by the great and the good from many walks of life.

His successor as Senior Physician was Dr S.W. Patterson, but the clinic's remit did not change. Infectious diseases or mental illnesses were not treated, the focus being on stomach complaints, emaciation, heart and arterial diseases, the nervous system, lung disease (though not tuberculosis) and anaemia.

There is no doubt that the quality of the medical treatment, and pioneering research work arising from it, was of the best and its reputation attracted famous people of the day. Some evidence of the medical research may still be seen on the book shelves in the castle. Fees presumably varied with the nature and extent of the treatment, but the charge for patients' rooms ranged from 15 to 30 guineas per week.

The arrival of such an important development was bound to have an important impact on Ruthin town and its inhabitants. Many people came down with the clinic from Scotland to live in Ruthin and many of their descendants are still here, although some have returned to their native hearths. These new arrivals required housing and shopping. Another important boost for the local economy were the additional employment opportunities at a time when many other communities were suffering from the ravages of high unemployment. Local businesses also benefited directly in meeting the domestic needs of the castle, its patients, their visitors and staff.

Sadly, the clinic survived for only forty years or so. Presumably, the war of 1939-45 had a severely adverse effect. Maybe the clinic was still too distant from large centres of population.  The Liverpool Daily Post reported that efforts to continue as a viable commercial enterprise had been abandoned c. 1959, and a charitable trust had been set up to offer private hospital facilities for business executives. A constant stream of thirty-five to forty patients was required for viability, but an average of only twenty-five patients materialised. This attempt, too, failed and 70 employees, - specialists, doctors, gardeners and domestic staff, were given generous notice terminating on 31st December 1962, when the establishment closed.

The castle again found itself on the market in July 1963 and sold to its present owners as an hotel. The old Denbighshire County Council seriously considered its acquisition as a new H.Q., but the threat of local government re-organisation was even then looming on the horizon, though it did not actually materialise until 1974. However, it was thought that in the circumstances the necessary loan consents would not be forthcoming, even though the purchase price was only £35,000. The total cost-plus adaptation was estimated to be £100,000.

Other surviving parts of the estate were also sold off and one happy consequence was that an important part of Cae Ddol is now in the ownership of the new Denbighshire County Council for public enjoyment. Once again, this ancient site acquired another lease of life and the town a boost to its economy.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Denbighshire Record Office, Denbighshire Free Press" 1918, 1923, 1924, 1949; Duff House brochure, 1924, and illustrations courtesy National Galleries of Scotland; letter from Mr. Anthony Warburton, General Manager, Ruthin Castle Hotel.

 

DW

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See also Postscript in Broadsheet Issue 72.

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THE REVEREND EDWARD LOWRY BARNWELL.

IT WAS A TYPICAL DARK February evening in 1866 when the great and the good (a euphemism for the middle class) of Ruthin met in the school room of the Grammar School to make a presentation to the retiring headmaster of the school. the Reverend E. L. Barnwell. The principal gift was a silver table centre piece of a stag intertwined with vines which could serve as candle sticks or flower stands. This was engraved with his coat of arms and the family motto ‘Loyal au morte’. In addition, there was a large inkstand, two richly cut glasses, wafer stand and candlestick. This was from 205 of the poor of Ruthin. During his tenure in office fifty per cent of the boys were free (non fee paying), which may have been the result of the scholarship system or his own benevolence.

Barnwell was a contentious figure, a Whig of the right-wing persuasion, supporting Townsend Mainwaring against the Liberal James Maurice in the parliamentary election for the Denbigh Boroughs constituency in 1859. He used the purchasing power of the school to influence tradesmen to vote for Mainwaring. One sued him in court, but he claimed that the goods were not up to standard and the case was lost. He fought West over the refurbishment of St. Peters, but this time the Castle was too powerful.
His mother was the daughter of John Lowry first cousin to Armagh, Earl of Tyrone. On his father's side was a long line of clerics. After attending school in Bath he went up to Oxford where in the Easter term of 1834 he was awarded a first in mathematics. In 1836 he was elected to a scholarship at Jesus College, was ordained priest by Bishop Carr of Worcester and then came to Ruthin in 1837. Whilst at Oxford he became interested in the Heraldic Society and this interest in antiquities continued all his life.

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