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Bedfordshire Training Home for Girls 1895 to 1900

Excerpts from the Minute books of Bedford Training Home for Girls

On 8 Jan 1895 the wages of the Head of Laundry Mrs Flanders were raised to 25/- per week in recognition of the good work she was doing. 'in consideration of her great capability, and the way in which she identifies herself with the welfare & interests of the home'.

12 Feb 1895 Constance Carter of Banbury to be asked to be second Laundrymaid, £16 per year. The Committee recorded that she appeared to be a respectable, lean looking and strong girl and very nicely mannered. Her appointment was a success, and the following year on 28 April 1896 she was awarded a  £2 per annum pay rise.

26 Feb 1895 anonymous donation of £100 received.

16 Nov 1896 the Matron Miss Green was engaged to be married but did not intend to marry yet. The man was highly respectable and comfortably off and living in Bedford.

19 May 1896 Miss Boston was interviewed for the position of Matron and appointed 26th May 1896 to come the last week in June so as to have a few days with Miss Green. Her salary to be £30. She commenced duties  on 23rd June.

Sarah Carter, sister of Constance Carter, was engaged as 3rd laundrymaid at £16 per year. Maud Burton to be 3rd laundrymaid at £16 wages when Sarah left 9 Mar 1897.

14 Nov 1896 the Committee decided to recruit a young person to assist the Matron and enable outside teaching to be dispensed with, but who would at the same time be trained in the duties fitting her to later take a place as a Matron. Six weeks notice was given to the teacher Mrs Bashford. On 8 Dec 1896 the Vicar of Ramsey had written to ask if they had any situation for a nice girl called Anne Hughes aged 18, whose parents had lately left his parish and who were most superior respectable people. The father was a farmer now living at Pavenham. Mrs Alexander brought Anne to the Committee as she thought her suitable as assistant to the Matron. The Committee decided to engage her to come 28th Dec 1896 at £8 wages. She was to be called 'Sister Annie'. 9 Feb 1897 Miss Boston reported that whilst Sister Annie was nice in herself she had no authority or influence with the girls at all, no method or order and was not good at needlework. She took the classes nicely and did her best. She did not seem to have sufficient character to maintain her position in the Home. On 9 Mar 1897 she was given notice to leave.

13 April 1897 Agnes Marchant was interviewed by the Committee for the position of assistant to the Matron. She was 23, had excellent testimonials and seemed likely to suit. Her wages were to be £12 because she was receiving training. She was to be called Miss Marchant by the girls as it would give her a little position and authority.

24 Nov 1896 Miss Green, the former Matron wrote saying her marriage had been put off and asked the Committee for a reference. 9 Mar 1897 the committee to write a high recommendation of Miss Green to the Deaconess' Home at Mildway.

13 April 1897 Alice Worth aged 19 who had been working at the Princess Louise Home was engaged as laundry maid for £12. She started 24 May 1897. 8 June 1897 the Committee observed that she was not doing well and her work was  not good enough to justify her wages. 29 June 1897 Alice stated that she was happy to stay at reduced wages. Ethel Ames, a girl from the home was now to be to be paid £5 and Alice £7.

Sarah Carter 13 July 1897 who had returned home to help her mother was not well and had written wishing to come back to Bedford. To be accepted in the laundry on the same terms as before. 12 July 1898 Alice Worth reported to be keeping company with a young man.

12 Oct 1897 The assistant Matron Agnes Marchant had asked to leave and Rose Lines, the daughter of a farmer of Sutton, Sandy, aged 25 was interviewed for the post. She was willing to come for £12 wages and for a month on trial. Started 20th Oct 1897. On 9th Nov 1897 Miss Boston the Matron reported that Miss Lines was not satisfactory as she couldn't manage the girls and was not efficient. Miss Lines undertook to leave on the 20th to a situation in Bedford that had been found for her.

14 Dec 1897 Miss Robinson was engaged as assistant matron. She was heard of through Mrs Maddison and had been staying at the YWCA in London. Her recommendations were very good and she was anxious to be trained. She seemed likely to suit, was good at her needle and cooked nicely. Her salary was to be £12. She was interviewed and the Committee were pleased with her only she seemed too diffident of her own powers. 22 Feb 1898 Miss Robinson gave notice to leave. Miss Boston spoke of a Miss Silverton who might suit, she had been housekeeper to a gentleman who had died and was wishing to try work in a Home. She was known to Mr Shephard the florist here.

9 Nov 1897 Sarah Carter wished to leave and return to her mother. She was seen by the Committee and spoken to about being so changeable and the disadvantage it will be to her. She replied nicely and evidently it was her mother's doing. She gave a month's notice. Mrs Flanders couldn't manage without help in Sarah's place and it was decided to write to the Princess Louise Home and enquire for a girl.

14 Dec 1897 A laundry girl had been heard of from the Manchester Home, highly recommended by Mrs Carmichael. Her name was Caroline Lucas, she was 20. The Committee thought her a bright nice looking girl. Her wages were to be £14 raised when worth more.

25 Jan 1898 Constance Carter the laundry maid gave notice to leave to be married early in March. The committee asked if she could wait another month to help them and she said she would let them know. Clara Smith, a former inmate at the Home had written to the head of laundry Mrs Flanders saying she wanted to leave her position and would like to return but she could not give notice whilst the family was away. Could not come til May but it was decided to engage her.

12 April 1898 when Constance married on the 9 April it was decided to give her a wedding present in recognition of three years faithful service. A pair of blankets were purchased by Mrs Goldsmith and presented to her with the good wishes of the Committee, the expense to be shared by them.

24 May 1898 Miss Milward the Matrons apprentice given notice on the grounds of not being competent for the needlework given her. The committee would give her a very good recommendation. Miss Robinson was asked to come back for three months.

9 Aug 1898 Miss Boston the Matron had heard of a suitable person for laundry work. She was trained at Alnwick and is now in the laundry at the Home for Girls of Weak Mind' at Adcote, Knotty Ash, Liverpool. She has a good character, is really good at laundry work and would come to the home if she could have £13 per annum in wages.

30 Sep 1898 Louisa Brace had worked in the Laundry 9 years – her wages increased from £18 to £22 and she was praised by the Committee for her good work.

29 Nov 1898 Florence Bell appointed Assistant Matron, to start 6 Dec 1898.

23 May 1899 Mrs Flanders, head of the laundry had received a very tempting offer from the Steam Laundry Company of a much more lucrative and advantageous nature than her present situation. It had been a severe struggle but Mrs Flanders affection for and interest in the Home had led her to decide to remain in her present post. It was felt by the whole of the Committee that it would be wise and right to raise her weekly wages from 25/- to 30/- and make her take a holiday.

25 July 1899 Mrs Irons, Matron at Woburn Sands was instructed to have a holiday as she had been very much out of health. Florence Bell was to go to Woburn Sands in her place.

2 Jan 1900 Miss Bell the assistant Matron asked for an increase in salary - granted to receive £15 per year instead of £12.

23 Jan 1900 Miss Boston made great complaints about Alice Worth's conduct which is most rude & ferocious at times. She is only staying in order to get her bonus from the former Home. 13 Feb 1900 Miss Boston thought she should leave at the end on her time when she has received her bonus and some of the other girls should be pushed on in the laundry. Alice to get paid at the rate of £13 per year for the remainder of her time in place of £12. 27 Feb 1900 Alice told Miss Boston that she expects to be married at Easter. By 10 July 1900 she was married and had been to see Miss Boston and wished the Committee to be thanked for the wedding present they had given her.

27 Feb 1900 the Committee decided to offer a place to a child of one of the soldiers killed or disabled in the war. They wrote to the Soldiers & Sailors Association.

27 Feb 1900 girls doing well with singing, which they were being taught by Mrs Palmer.

14 Aug 1900 Maud Burton wished to give notice from her post in the laundry as she had been in the Home for 15 years. The Committee felt that for her own sake it would be a great mistake apart from for the loss she would be to the laundry and Mrs Kirby was asked to see her and try and dissuade her form taking this step. By 28 Aug 1900 Maud had changed her mind, and the Committee decided to send her for a holiday to the YWCA Servants Home at Brighton, and Mrs Alexander promised Maud £1 towards her expenses.

11 Dec 1900 Mss Florence Bell asked for an increase in wages. £3 was given which made her salary £18 per annum, given on the understanding that no higher salary will be paid to the Assistant Matron and also that she would act as holiday matron at Woburn Sands.