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“Other people begin with a Prospectus, great names, a Secretary, a Public meeting, and a Castle in the air. You begin with a cottage, a few suffering people who alas number a great many, and your own noble personal exertions and wise practical benevolence”
Thus wrote Florence Nightingale to Charlotte Lewis, wife of Dr James Lewis, in November 1871 - in response to a request for her advice on the design of a new convalescent home, which it was proposed to be built near Porthcawl.
The imposing dressed stone building which emerged from that scheme, and which still functions as The Rest today, is an enduring monument to all those involved in its creation. However the origins of The Rest are to be found a decade earlier, in an altogether more modest enterprise and in a practical scheme for the relief of suffering – that which was the brainchild of the Doctor and his wife.
James Lewis FRCS, MRCP (Pictured right) was born in 1871 at Michaelston-super-Ely, a claimed descendant from one of Glamorgan’s ancient gentry families.
He trained at Guy’s Hospital in London, where he qualified as a Physician and Surgeon.
Following his marriage to Charlotte Lynch Blosse, he returned to his native county and established himself in general practice in the town of Maesteg in the Llynfi Valley.
The industrial communities provided James Lewis with the majority of his patients, and it was his first hand experience in treating the sick and injured ironworkers, colliers, quarrymen and their families, that convinced him of the need for some sort of convalescent home for the working man and his dependants.
He looked to the coast of Glamorgan and to the parish of Newton Nottage in Porthcawl, with its limestone downs, extensive bays, pure water and mild climate.
It was here that the Doctor and his wife purchased, with the help of donations, three small cottages, (featured at the top left of this page) and in the summer of 1862 opened their doors to a few of his patients.
The success of the cottage experiment exceeded even Doctor and Mrs Lewis’s expectations, and it was from this modest enterprise that The Rest was to grow and flourish, creating not a ‘Castle in the air’ but a home by the sea.
The response from benefactors and patients in the first twelve months reinforced the Doctor’s conviction that the Convalescent Home met a genuine need, this in turn encouraged him to launch an appeal throughout the county to landowners, ironmasters, colliery proprietors and the public at large.
The success of that appeal can be gauged from the impressive list of names on the Founders Board in the present day Rest.
Plans were drawn up and it was estimated that the building would cost in the region of £14,700 pounds to complete. This was exclusive of the cost of the furnishings.
In January 1874 the site offered by Mr C.R.M Talbot of Margam had been accepted, 10 acres of land over looking the beautiful Rest Bay.
The appeal for funds continued with sterling efforts made by the then formed Committee of Trustees.
Because of the lack of funds it was to be nearly a decade before the dream of Dr Lewis was to be realised. The original plans had to be scaled down, so it was then agreed to build only half the main block, together with kitchens, the cost of which was just over £4,000 pounds.
The Rest Committee assured its supporters, that as the building was designed on a block system therefore it could be successfully erected in stages. And so worked commenced and in July of 1878 the new Rest received its first patients.
Initially The Rest received only male patients, but with the completion of the Central Block, in 1893, women patients were also admitted.
The building work continued with the West Wing being totally completed by 1901, making it possible to also accommodate children.
Finally in 1909 the building was completed, with the addition of the East Wing providing an Assembly Hall and with more wards above.
Today the East Wing serves as the Entrance Block, and the Board Room.
At the end of 1915, the premises were put at the disposal of the St John’s Ambulance Association as an Auxiliary War Hospital and continued in this role for the remainder of the Great War. During this period almost 2,500 casualties from the British, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian forces received treatment at The Rest.
On display at present in, our history section, we now have an original autograph book, which was signed by some of the injured service men that stayed at The Rest at this time.
Similarly at the end of 1939 the military authorities once again requisitioned The Rest for the duration of the war. It would be seven years, before The Rest reverted to its original full civilian usage.
As is evident in this brief account, it can be seen that, throughout the years, The Rest, has played a major role in our history. However with the changing times, The Rest has also had to change. Dormitories have now given way to stylish, and beautifully furnished, twin and single en-suite rooms, spacious comfortable lounges, a Lounge Bar, and even a Shop all of which are now among the facilities enjoyed by all who stay at The Rest.
We, who are fortunate to be involved with this magnificent building, pride ourselves that even with all the changes that have taken place, we are still continuing the original dream of Dr. James Lewis.
The Rest is still providing a safe haven for all those in need of company, rest and relaxation – by providing wonderful food, sea air and enjoyment, amongst friends, both new and old, and the caring Hotel staff.
The Rest functions as a Charitable Trust, and is managed by a Board of Trustees. We are self funding, and non profit making, with all the funds raised being ploughed back in to help us to maintain this fine building, and to provide wonderful holidays at much reduced rates for all.
If you would like to have a more detailed account entitled - ‘The History of The Rest’ we would be delighted to send you a copy upon request.
In Book form - £1.00 per copy plus £1.00 p&p
Tape Cassette - £2.99 per copy plus £1.50 p&p
CD (Compact Disc) - £4.99 per copy plus £1.50 p&p
Please send your order to The Rest Holiday Hotel, Rest Bay, Porthcawl, County Borough of Bridgend CF36 3UP, enclosing your name address and Post Code, along with your telephone number.
If you would kindly make your cheque payable to
The Rest Hotel.
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