Bedfordshire Training Home for Girls 1887 to 1894
Excerpts from the Minute Books of Bedford Training Home for Girls
24 May 1887 Miss Cossey took the girls to the opening of St Martin's Church it was decided the girls would go there on Sundays in the future.
On 11 Oct 1887 the committee decided to install a horizontal bar in the garden for calisthenic exercises.
The Committee recorded on 22 Nov 1887 the daily routine of the girls was that they were to begin in the laundry at 6.30 am, breakfast & prayers 8 – 9, quarter of an hours break in the middle of the morning, dinner 1 o'clock, laundry 2 – 3, class 3 til 5, tea at 5 and one hours work after. In the winter the girls to have a walk once a week, and in the longer days more often.
14 Aug 1888 the girls dormitory was found to be 'swarming with bugs' and the girls were taken on a day out to the countryside whilst the room was fumigated. Many of the girls also had heads in a 'disgraceful state' and a new rule was devised that heads were to be washed once a week and daily if necessary.
25 Sep 1888 notice was given to Laundry Matron Miss Freeman because of her conduct. On 9Oct 1888 Miss McManus , aged 32, a total abstainer, formerly working at the Warren Farm Schools, Brighton, was appointed, but wrote to say she had taken another situation. Lucy Woodward, cook to Mrs Tucker, said she would like the position and came before the Committee on 23 Oct 1888 and was appointed £25 a year. Again though, she did not take the place, because she thought the responsibility too great. A former pupil, Jane Christmas, was interviewed 13 Nov 1888 and appointed to start 3 Dec at £25 per year. Jane resigned a few months later on 12 Feb 1889 saying she didn't like institution work. Mrs Flanders from the Steam Laundry was then appointed as Head Laundress. Her wages were £1 a week plus meals. Mrs Flanders recommended Louisa Brace, a girl of 26 years of age, an orphan, who she had been working with at the Steam Laundry for four years as live in Second Laundry Maid at a salary of £15 per year. Both commenced work on 11 March 1889.
On 17 July 1889 at the Annual General Meeting it was reported that one family of seven daughters had three sisters admitted to the home who had all become truly Christian girls. Three others of the sisters had through their example & teaching been led into better life and all were now in service and filling useful positions in various ways
In 1889 the Committee decided to take a small home at Woburn Sands for the reception of seven children from 5 – 11 years, who would receive 'motherly care & attention from a Christian married woman'. The children in this home were educated at the village school, then they are transferred to the Bedford home for the last two years of their time
After much discussion over fixtures & fittings a new cottage at Aspley Heath built by Mr Whiting was taken from 15th May 1890. Sister Frances, who was Matron at the home when Miss Cossey was on holiday, was offered the Matronship of the Branch Home at Woburn Sands for a salary of £20. She accepted 23 Sep 1890 and suggested a Miss Casserley as an assistant. However, disputes arose about the employment of a daily maid as well to do heavy housework and eventually Sister Frances declined the post.
On 24 Feb 1891 Mrs H Flanders, sister in law of Mrs Flanders the Head of Laundry at Bedford, was engaged to be Matron of the Branch Home at Woburn Sands.
On 21 July 1891 Lizzie Chambers engaged to help Mrs Flanders in the laundry. Miss Cossey the Matron was ill over this period, so Mrs Swarbrick, a temporary matron was engaged for further time. 27 Oct 1891 the wages of Louisa Brace were raised to £18 per year.
1891 Census Girls Training Home Tavistock Place
Emma Cossey, Head, Single, 41, Matron, born Ipswich, Suffolk
Louisa Brace, Servant, Single, 28, Laundry maid, born Goldington, Beds
Maud Burton, Servant, Single, 18, laundry maid, born Bethnal Green, London
Alice Sherringham, inmate, 15, training for service, born Bishopsgate, London
Kate Mills, inmate, 15, training for service, born Newport Pagnell, Bucks
Clara Smith, inmate, 14, training for service, born Shefford, Beds
Emma Willsher, inmate, 15, training for service, born Kempston, Beds
Alice Cousins, inmate, 14, training for service, born Hitchin, Herts
Eva Medlock, inmate, 14, training for service, born Watford, Herts
Mary J Allen, inmate, 13, training for service, born Bedford
Susannah Bell, inmate, 14, training for service, born Bedford
Ada Brown, inmate, 12, training for service, born Boston, Lincs
Eliza Farmer, inmate, 13, training for service, born Ampthill, Beds
Florence Stokes, inmate, 12, training for service, born Sheffield, Yorks
Blanche Benson, inmate, 15, training for service, born Bedford
On 27 Sep 1892 a £5 bonus was awarded to Mrs Flanders who ran the Bedford Training Home laundry as it had been so successful.
9 May 1893 Sister Frances unable to come to the home to cover for Miss Cossey's holiday but she recommended Mrs Dennis, who had been accustomed to children & girls, was an economical housekeeper, good manager & accountant. Mrs Dennis was interviewed on 23 May 1893 and engaged for Miss Cossey's absence. Her home address was 21 Holland Street SW1.
On 13 June 1893 it was reported to the Committee that the Matron Miss Cossey was noted as suffering from a tumour. On 27 March 1894 she was ill again and the Committee wanted Mrs Dennis to stand in whilst Miss Cossey had a rest. However, Miss Dennis was unavailable and Sister Frances had died. Mrs Langdon of 215 Gladstone Street, Peterborough who had been for 8 years in charge of Dr Barnardo's Homes for Girls at Ilford was appointed as temporary Matron. By 24 April 1894 Miss Cossey was becoming weaker with the progress of her disease She was not able to walk out with the girls upon her return to the home, and not be strong enough to get up to breakfast .
22 May 1894 Kate Coleman was appointed as second laundry maid. Kate was 20 years of age, and had lived for 5½ years with her Grandmother who was a Laundress at Fenny Stratford. The committee liked her straightforward manner. However after a months trial 12 June 1894 she was found to be not efficient in laundry work but willing to learn and the committee appointed her at a reduced wage of £15. However she was let go after a second month on 26 June 1894.
10 July 1894 the Matron Miss Cossey stated that she wished to leave on account of being unequal to the duties of the Home, she felt the hot weather so trying. She went to the Committee and her notice was accepted, whilst regret was expressed at her health being the occasion for her seeking a lighter situation. 17 July 1894 an application from Miss Green, for the position of Matron, highly recommended by different clergymen (Church of England herself) was so very satisfactory that it was decided Mrs Kirby should write to her stating the salary would be £30 to begin with and rise from there. She was interviewed 24 July 1894, and the committee wished to appoint her.
11 Sep 1894 Louisa Elizabeth Belsey aged 23, engaged as laundrymaid for £16 per year. On 27 Nov 1894 she was dismissed for misconduct.
11 Dec 1894 Mrs Bashford appointed as the first paid teacher for the girls as it was considered that the voluntary teaching was not comprehensive enough. Her salary was £18 per year to be paid quarterly, hours 3 – 4.30 Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri.