Talk:Southmead

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 * The area lends its name to the NHS-run Southmead Hospital, although this is actually situated in the neighbouring district of Westbury on Trym. 

I was quite surprised by the assertion that the Hospital is in Westbury on Trym, as Southmead Hospital is much nearer to Greystoke Avenue than Westbury High Street, is in BS10 not BS9 and is in Horfield Ward. But then again, the NHS thinks it is, and the Royal Mail's address finder agrees. This seemed very weird, even absurd.

On reflection, however, I did some more research, and it turns out that Southmead Hospital (founded as a workhouse) predates both Southmead estate and most of Henleaze. In 1901 it was obviously part of Westbury on Trym parish (see this history of the territory of WoT church parish). Since then Southmead and Henleaze have been built up and have developed their own identities, leaving the Hospital as a sort of panhandle or even an exclave of WoT. I think it's an anachronism, and would surprise a lot of Bristolians, but maybe there is some sense to it. --rbrwr&plusmn; 22:50, 20 August 2005 (UTC)