| Description | DOB: Unknown
DOD: Unknown
The Day of Admittance:
In 1931 the society for the prevention of Cruelty to Children took Florence into their care.
The common bond of lonlieness, and the feeling of not being wanted, quickly cemented friendships.
The Governess (Miss Simmons) took Florence in hand almost at once.
The orphanage building was large and victorian, built in 1879. It was surrouned by high wall. You could not see over the wall, so you were completely shut out from the outside world.
Miss Absolom's room was the first on the right.
The kitchen was a hive of activity; the motto of the orphanage was "Cleanliness is next to Godliness".
The kitchen was always noisy, especially as there were no ear-pets or rugs on the red titled floor.
The rest of downstairs: The Shoe Room, The Laundry Room and The Wash-House.
The Upstairs: Upstairs was rather 'rambling'. Behind the first door was the bathroom. There was only one, so it was used in a rota system, and was in great demand. Miss Absolom's bedroom was opposite and very interesting.
Miss Simmons Room: This room overlooked the playground, when the children would be playing, Miss Simmons would be watching over them.
The Dormitories:
The first floor had three rooms. The largest had eight beds, ordinary iron bedsteads covered with white bedspreads. And each child had a locker each, to keep their toiletries.
At the age of 14, the girls were allowed to go out shopping. Which became a favourite chore, so they'd go out in two's with their best friends. And they'd take as long as they could to make use of their freedom.
Prizegiving:
speeches of thanksgiving, learning poems and singing to the governers.
The prizes given by the Countess of Harrowby.
Mr. Warner and his wife invited the girls to their house one christmas and gave them a film show, along with a lovely meal.
The day of leaving, Florence was very heartbroken to leave. Miss Absolom, Miss Simmons and Miss Coutts came to see her off. Florence continued to stay in touch with them and, on her 21st birthday Miss A and Miss S gave her a party.
The Schoolroom was used both for teaching, the three R's, and for other activities such as mending, country-dancing, and other leisure pursuits.
Not only was it a place of learning, but provided a rest from household chores.
Mrs Harrison never had any favourites, she seemed equally interested in each girl.
Mrs. H would often take the girls on long walks.
Memories of the staff: Miss Absolom, Miss Simmons, Miss Coutts, Mrs. Harrison.
The Uniform:
The Outdoor Uniform - the winter coat and hat made of black velour, warm and comfortable. The summer outdoor clothes consisted of a navy gaberdine mackintosh with a cream straw hat.
The Indoor uniform was not as nice.
Miss Loveridge was a member of the board of governors and through her influence, Florence was able to enroll into nursing.
A visti from her grandmother, they went to go watch a film and went to "Lyons Corner Cafe" where Florence got lemonade, fish and chips. Sometimes her grandma could visit on a Sunday.
Saturday - beef sausages for dinner,shopping chores
Being a Church of England charity home, religion played a major part in the girls' lives.
Went to church twice every Sunday and sunday-school in the afternoon.
Miss Simmons would read texts from the (BFBS) notelets every morning. The girls had to learn the text and recite it the following morning.
The girls also had to learn a chapter from the Bible every Sunday. And write out all the Sunday sermon.
The food was nutritiuous, in spite of being filling and solid.
Sunday meant a change of breakfast, and a large joint of beef for dinner.
The puddings were lovely - filling suet and milk current puddings.
Breakfast during the week was porridge, and dinner was mainly stews. The cabbage was grown in the garden and they had dried vegetables such as beans and peas.
On Sundays they were given a piece of cake, seed cake on week and current cake the next. Tea during the week was bread and jam. Had nothing to eat after tea, but a hot drink before going to bed.
Married Fred
Enrolled into nursing, worked at the Royal Hospital.
The Outbreak of diptheria
Tyoe-written, detailed account on the memories and daily life at an orphanage. |