Bedford and County Mother and Baby Home
97 Ashburnham Road was built in 1897 for the Rev Charles Hemsley, an Assistant Master at Bedford Modern School. This was a building called 'Woodleigh' and was no.81 at this time - the street was renumbered later. We have the original plans which you can view in our searchroom or order copies of - ref. BorBP3390.
At some point between 1914 - 1919 the building was given over to the use of St Audrey's Home For Girls, run by the Church of England Waifs & Strays Society, who had formerly occupied a building at 25 St Cuthberts Street. The Matron in 1914 was Miss Veronique de Solis Lewis. They remained at the Home until 1919, when they sold it, with fixtures & fittings, to the St Albans Diocese for use as a Mother & Baby Home.
We have the Minutes of the Bedford County Home for Girls (formerly the Association for Preventative Rescue Work and also known as the Mother & Baby Home) from 1908 [collection ref. X151]. These are very brief and do not give details of young women and girls who were at the Home.
Formed in 1908 The Associations for Preventative Rescue Work in Bedford first had rooms in Ford End Road then opened a Mother & Baby Home at 32 Brereton Road in 1910. On 6 Feb 1914 the Home was transferred to the St Albans Diocese and operated by them. Throughout the First World War there was of course an increase in the number of unmarried mothers and they needed larger premises, hence in Dec 1919 they decided to move to 97 Ashburnham Road.The home was dedicated by the Bishop of St Albans 2 Dec 1920. On 14 Jan 1921decided that the Home should be called ‘The Bedford & County Home for Girls’. They remained in the premises until 1932 when they moved to 1 Hill Rise, Park Road North, to premises formerly used by the Bedford Girls Training Home.
Babies born at the Home were baptised at St Martins and Holy Trinity - these baptism registers are embargoed because they contain information about illegitimacy and people listed in them may still be living.
Bedford & County Mother & Baby Home
The Ely Diocesan Association for Rescue & Preventative Work
Ref.X151/1
Election of Members and fundraising collections and sales of work mentioned throughout.
24 Jan 1908
Mrs Emily Woodard – chair; Esther Brand – Deaconess; Mrs Charles Wells; Mrs Skinner; Mrs Sharman; Miss Wing; Mrs Birley; Mrs Wordsworth; Mrs Kinsey; Mrs Ashworth; Miss M Norman – Treasurer & Secretary.
Mrs Emily Woodard & Esther Brand to engage a Worker;
Each parish represented on the committee should guarantee 310 per annum donation
5 Mar 1908
Miss Steadman appointed as trained worker for the committee, to start at Easter.
3 June 1908
Miss Steadman reported on work so far. Difficulty in Carrying out work without a house. Deaconess reported it was difficult to have girls for even one night at the Home.
9 July 1908
Committee agree on confidentiality of all cases discussed at the meetings.
15 Sept 1908
Meeting of ladies at the Town Hall to be arranged to increase funds.
28 Oct 1908
Invitations to be sent for 4 Dec 1908.
17 Dec 1908
180 attendees at the meeting at the Association Hall St Peters Street on 4th Dec.
The question of a refuge in the town be postponed.
Dr Ethel Stacy ex-officio member of the committee.
14Jan 1909
Mrs Everett resigned from the Committee
Treasurer reported that although over £87 had been collected between 4 Mar – 31 Dec there was a small deficit.
11 Feb 1909
Mrs Woodard re-elected Chair, Miss M Norman Secretary. Mrs Wordsworth resigned. Mrs Gordon replaced her. Mrs Elderson to be asked to serve the committee for St Martins, with Mrs Anderson a possible alternative.
Secretary to write to outlying parishes in the Bedford Poor Law Union to acquaint them with the work of the Association.
The offer of an anonymous benefactress to pay rent for a room at 72 Ford End Road for a year be accepted with thanks, and that the worker be allowed to live there.
11 March 1909
Mrs Elderton to represent St Martins.
Approach to be made to the leading residents of Ampthill to ask for their involvement
Mrs Reginald Harrison & Mrs King to represent St Peters on the Committee, Mrs Kirkman for St Cuthberts.
8 April 1909
Complaints about house to house collections had been received.
Miss Steadman to take 10 days holiday.
10 June 1909
Miss Wing resigned from Committee.
Miss Steadman to be insured by the Globe Insurance Company following instructions from the Central Council.
Anonymous donation of £15 to be the nucleus for a shelter fund.
13 Jan 1910
Mrs Woodard re-elected Chair; Miss Sybil Airy - Secretary; Mrs Kinsey – Treasurer
18 Jan 1910
Mrs King resigned as she was leaving Bedford.
14 April 1910
A girl in the home at Hitchin to remain there at a cost of 5/- per week
Miss Steadman’s rooms to be furnished.
12 May 1910
Girl of 13 living in a bad home to be sent to a Home at Shrewsbury at 4/- per week.
Case of a woman in service & doing well but not yet earning enough to support her baby should receive 2/6 per month for 6 months.
Mrs Elderton resigned as she was leaving Bedford.
23 June 1910
Special Meeting to consult about a Shelter.
Anonymous offer to provide a Shelter.
Agreed that the offer should be accepted.
Miss Steadman said she knew of a vacant house in [32] Brereton Road at about £40 rent. The landlord to be approached. Miss Steadman authorised to communicate with a Matron & a worker who were at liberty.
7 July 1910
Mr Church’s house in Brereton Road to be taken for the Shelter at £35 rent and £8 rates for one year from September. Agreement signed.
Miss Carriss from Birmingham to be offered the post of Worker for the Shelter.
Mrs C Maltby of 23 Lansdowne Road elected to the Committee in place of Mrs Elderton.
15 Sep 1910
Miss Steadman permitted to undertake special cases in the Biggleswade Union provided that all expenses were paid.
Members of the Committee to ask tradespeople for items for the Home which were still needed. Furniture had been procured.
Shelter couldn’t be opened before November. The second Worker to begin work with Miss Steadman mid October.
10 Nov 1910
Dedication of the Shelter by the Bishop of Bedford fixed for 14th Nov 1910
Miss Steadman to apply to Mrs Ruspini to find a trainee Matron for the home.
8 Dec 1910
A Matron [Miss Hawley] had been appointed and was proving satisfactory.
Mrs Dodd elected to the committee in place of Mrs Skinner (resigned).
12 Jan 1911
Mrs Woodard reelected Chair; Miss Airy reelected Secretary; Mrs Kinsey to remain as Treasurer only until successor found.
3 Feb 1912
Annual General Meeting held at St Cuthberts Hall.
Miss Steadman reported four girls in the Shelter, and if subscriptions increased there would be room for eight. The girls who had been sent to situations from the Shelter were doing well.
9 Mar 1911
Mrs Kinsey resigned as Treasurer, Mrs Firth of Bushmead Avenue to be asked to take over.
6 April 1911
Mrs Dixon of Potton co-opted as Biggleswade Member of the Committee.
Miss Carriss & the Matron tendered their resignation, the matter deferred to a Special Committee Meeting. Mrs Firth agreed to be Treasurer.
Miss Steadman offered to resign if that would enable the Committee to retain the services of the Assistant Worker (Miss Carriss) and the Matron.
28April 1911
Special Committee Meeting
Finances would not allow maintaining three Workers.
Miss Steadman to be asked to resign.
11 May 1911
Miss Steadman resigned.
Biggleswade Branch of the Preventative, Rescue & Penitentiary Work to be asked to pay the Bedford Branch for any cases sent to the Bedford Shelter for the first 6 months, to be refunded upon the first half yearly payment of £25.0.0.
The Shelter to be closed when Miss Carriss & the Matron took their holiday.
Miss Carriss to approach the Poor Law Guardians with regard to their keping 7 babies in the union longer while their mothers went out to work.
8 Jun 1911
Mrs Harrison resigned from the Committee.
14 Sep 1911
Five ladies from Ampthill & Woburn Union to be co-opted to the Bedford Committee.
Miss Carriss requested that she try to find a voluntary worker to assist in the Shelter.
12 Oct 1911
Committee to continue to pay 5/- per month for Beatrice and 5/per week for ‘Muriel’ for six months. A promising case ‘Minnie’ to be sent to a home for 6 months, expenses to be paid by the Association at 5/- a week.
9 Nov 1911
Expenses for ‘Minnie’ now undertaken by an anonymous friend.
14 Dec 1911
The Bishop had appointed Rev C W Browning as Chaplain to the Shelter.
14 Feb 1912
Annual General Meeting in St Cuthberts Hall.
14 Mar 1912
Mrs Barnes elected to Committee.
Mrs Firth elected Treasurer.
Mrs Piper - Secretary.
Miss Carriss reported that Miss Letts was to be ‘helper’ in place of Miss King who was leaving.
11 April 1912
Miss Hawley, the Matron, tendered her resignation.
‘Minnie’ to be supported at the home she was at for a further 3 months.
Ref.X151/2
10 May 1912
Mrs Maltby resigned from Committee.
Miss Letts to be appointed Worker from 1 May 1912 at a salary of £20 per annum.
13 June 1912
Committee to write to Bedford Town Council to express concern for behaviour on punts on the river at night.
Mrs East elected for St Cuthberts in pace of Mrs Maltby.
Matrons Salary raised to £20 per annum.
12 Sep 1912
Mrs Kinsey & Mrs Dodd resigned from Committee.
Miss Minnie Orman to be asked to serve on the Committee for St Cuthberts parish.
11 Oct 1912
Letter from the Watch Committee stating that nothing could be done about activities on the river.
Mrs Campbell & Mrs Sartoris resigned from the Committee.
14 Nov 1912
Mrs Davis resigned from the Committee.
12 Dec 1912
Mrs Nicholls elected to Committee for Holy Trinity in place of Mrs Davis.
Mrs Fletcher of Biggleswade to be asked to serve on the Committee in place of Mrs Sartoris.
10 Jan 1913
Mrs Woodard retired as Chair.
Mrs Holden of Marston Park to be asked to serve on the Ampthill Committee in place of Mrs Guy Campbell.
Mrs Fletcher of Biggleswade elected to serve on the Committee in place of Mrs Sartoris.
6 Feb 1913
Mrs Eva A Kirkman elected Chair; Mrs Firth – Treasurer; Mrs Piper – Secretary until replacement could be found.Mrs Firth to be Diocesan Representative.
7 Feb 1913
Annual General Meeting.
Inmates at the Shelter limited to three due to lack of available funds.
13 Feb 1913
Mrs Holden of Marston Park elected to Ampthill Committee
Miss Holmes, Matron of the Shelter, resigned.
25 Feb 1913
Miss Penfold elected Secretary.
5 Mar 1913
Mrs Barnes resigned from Committee.
11 April 1913
Mrs Curtois elected to Committee to represent St Peters, Mrs Lennox Peters for St Andrews, Mrs Coates for St Cuthberts.
Letter from Mrs Duff of Cornwall Road asking for the help of the Committee for a girl in her service. No help could be given.
2 May 1913
Resolved that 4 beds only were to be used and the number not to be exceeded even if cases were paid for. Persons brought by the police during the night were to be received.
12 Sep 1913
Mrs Kirkman resigned as Chair due to ill health. Miss Letts to take 3 months holiday.
10 Oct 1913
Mrs Barrs to take over duties from Miss Letts in her absence.
5 Dec 1913
Salary of Miss Carriss to be raised by £5.
2 Jan 1914
Mrs Firth elected Chair; Miss Penfold Secretary.
9 Jan 1914
Miss Letts resigned her post as Assistant Worker due to ill health.
6 Feb 1914
Associations for Preventative Rescue Work in Bedford were to be transferred to St Albans Diocese. Mr A Maltby – Treasurer.
10 Feb 1914
Annual General Meeting
53 girls had been received at the Shelter, of which 14 had been found employment, 19 sent to Homes and other refuges, 6 to maternity hospitals, 4 married, 5 restored to their friends and 3 remained in the house at the end of the year.
3 April 1914
Miss Lewis to remain as Assistant Worker for another 3 months.
5 June 1914
Matron to have 4 weeks holiday, Miss Letts to be asked to come as Second Worker in June & August. Miss Lewis to have fortnight after return of Matron, Miss Carriss to have holidays from end of July.
Letter to offer Miss Ellis the post of Assistant Worker at a salary of £20 per year.
6 beds per night to be in use for one month.
3 July 1914
Miss Ellis to commence from mid September as Assistant Worker.
Association to provide a uniform for the workers.
6 beds per night to be in use for one month due to the large number of cases.
22 Aug 1914
All beds in the Shelter should be closed within the week. Girls now in the Shelter to be found accommodation elsewhere.
4 Sep 1914
Miss Carriss reported that it was not possible to clear the Shelter in the week allowed. Three had been placed, two were going the following week and the sixth was being paid for by Canon Freeland until a suitable place could be found.
Motion closing the home rescinded. Beds reduced from six to three.
2 Oct 1914
Services of Miss Ellis to be retained.
Chair & Treasurer resigned. Many resignations from Committee due to the dispute over the closure of the Shelter.
8 Jan 1915
Miss Carriss ill – to have one month holiday.
Mrs Gurney – Chair; Mrs Gordon – Vice Chair; Miss Brown – Treasurer; Miss Penfold – Secretary
5 Feb 1915
Girls who were paid for might be received from other Workers even though the three beds were in use.
5 March 1915
Miss Ellis reported that five girls had passed through the Shelter during the month and three were in at the present time.
9 April 1915
Miss Carriss reported three girls in the home.
7 May 1915
Additional Worker to be engaged when Matron on holiday. Miss Ellis to holiday in September. Four girls in the Shelter. Three now in the House, one came in to sleep but she paid a small sum.
4 June 1915
At the last meeting three girls were in the house. Eleven had since been admitted. Four were there in the house one of whom was being paid for.
2 July 1915
The Shelter to be kept open for emergency cases only during Miss Cariss’ holiday.
Four girls in the house at the last meeting. Five had been admitted since, four had left and five remained in the house of whom two were paid for.
Committee shall consist of the necessary officials and six members for each of the three unions of Ampthill, Bedford & Biggleswade. The Borough of Bedford to have one representative for ech parish.
3 Sep 1915
Five girls in the House at the last meeting. Eleven had since been admitted, 15 had left and one remained.
1 Oct 1915
At the time of the last meeting there was one girl in the house, ten had since been admitted. Eight had been dealt with and three remained. She added that a great number of maternity cases we being reported and with only three beds open it might not be possible to deal with them all. The meeting decided that all the beds should be opened.
5 Nov 1915
Miss Cariss reported that at the time of the last meeting three girls were in the house, seven had since been admitted and three had been looked after without being admitted, making a total of 12. Eight had been dealt with and four were in the home at present. She asked those members who came from country districts if they could help in procuring foster mothers.
3 Dec 1915
Miss Cariss reported that at the time of the last meeting four girls were in the house. Eight had since been admitted and eight had been dealt with, four now in house. She also mentioned that the work was greatly hampered by the difficulty of getting foster mothers for the babies and that girls could not be passed out to service as quickly as they might be while others whom it was desirable to admit quickly had to wait. She asked if the Committee would consider the possibility of opening a Hostel for the babies.
7 Jan 1916
On the motion of Mrs Pycock and seconded by Mrs Tancock the Secretary was instructed to form a Committee for the Baby Hostel Scheme.
Miss Cariss reported that three girls were in the Shelter at the last meeting. Six had since been admitted. Six had been dealt with and four still remained in the house.
4 Feb 1916
Miss Cariss reported that four girls were in the House at the last meeting, four had since been admitted, four had been dealt with & four remained. She stated that Matron Fenwick was leaving to undergo training in midwifery at Woolwich.
3 Mar 1916
Miss Cariss reported that four girls were in the House at the last meeting, nine had since been admitted, six had been dealt with, and seven remained in the house.
Separate committee formed for the proposed Babies Hostel.
7 Apr 1916
Miss Cariss reported that at the time of the last meeting there were seven girls in the house, five had since been admitted seven had been dealt with and five were now in the house. She also stated that Mrs Siddall had been drinking again badly. Committee resolved to write to Mrs Siddall telling her she could not remain in the Shelter after Monday night.
Miss Cariss had secured the services of Miss Fogret as Matron.
5 May 1916
Miss Cariss reported that at the time of the last meeting there were seven girls in the house, three had since been admitted. Two had been dealt with six remained in the house. One girl was staying during her mistresses absence & would be paid for.
2 June 1916
Miss Cariss reported that five girls were in the House at the last meeting, seven had since been admitted, six had been dealt with, and seven remained in the house. Four girls had been confirmed. Matron to have holiday in July, Miss Cariss in August, Miss Ellis in September.
7 July 1916
Miss Cariss reported that seven girls were in the House at the last meeting, seven had since been admitted. Nine had been dealt with, and five remained in the house. One girl had gone to the Workhouse Infirmary, one to service, one returned to friends, one to Northampton Refuge, two to two year homes. One girl had been in the Shelter for the weekend for the Mental Deficiency Committee.
1 Sep 1916
Miss Cariss reported that five girls were in the House at the last meeting, fourteen had since been admitted. Fourteen had been dealt with, and five remained in the house.
6 Oct 1916
Miss Cariss reported that five girls were in the House at the last meeting, eight had since been admitted. Six had been dealt with, one had returned from a convalescent home so that eight remained in the house. Miss Cariss reported that gifts of money had been received from old girls and that the Mental Deficiency Committee were paying14/- a week for the girl whom we were keeping for them.
3 Nov 1916
Miss Cariss reported that eight girls were in the House at the last meeting, four had since been admitted. Six had been dealt with, and six remained.
1 Dec 1916
Miss Cariss reported that six girls were in the House at time of the last meeting, eight had since been admitted. Ten had been dealt with, four remained.
5 Jan 1917
Miss Cariss reported that four girls were in the House at the last meeting, five had since been admitted. Five had been dealt with, leaving four in the house at present.
30 Mar1917
Miss Cariss reported that four girls were in the House at the last meeting, one of whom being a Mental Deficiency case was being paid for at a rate of 14/- per week. Two of the girls had recently been confirmed. There was also a baby in the house, being with difficulty kept alive.
5 May 1917
Miss Cariss reported that five girls were in the House at the time of the last meeting, eleven had since been admitted, thirteen had been dealt with & three remained.
1 June 1917
Miss Cariss reported that three girls were in the House at the time of the last meeting, three has since been admitted, three had been dealt with & three remained. In view of the fact that several maternity cases would be returning it was proposed that another bed should be opened for three months.
Miss Cariss given permission to recruit a temporary worker for two months whilst Miss Ellis & the Matron took holidays.
Agreed to take a case from the Leighton Buzzard district as there was no Worker there.
7 Sep 1917
Resolved that Maternity Cases would not be taken into the Shelter unless the girls consent to go to a six month home.
Miss Cariss reported that at the time of the July meeting there were 3 cases in the house. Since that time 14 had been dealt with and homes had been found for 4 babies. Three girls were in the house at the present time.
5 Oct 1917
Miss Cariss reported that at the time of the last meeting there were three girls in the house, 5 had since been admitted, six had left and two remained. The temporary matron had proved unsatisfactory ad had left before the end of her time.
2 Nov 1917
Miss Cariss’ report, read in her absence through illness by Miss Ellis, showed that at the time of the last meeting there were two girls in the house, four had since been admitted, three had left and three remained. There were also in the house two babies.
7 Dec 1917
Miss Cariss reported that at the time of the last meeting there were three girls in the house, three had since been admitted, two had left,m one to the Workhouse the other to the Diocesan refuge, three remained.
Miss Cariss to write to a former inmate of the Shelter, now at York, with a view to engaging her as Matron.
4 Jan 1918
Miss Cariss reported that at the time of the last meeting there were three girls in the house, three had since been admitted, five remained.
1 Feb 1918
Only one girl in the house who was leaving the next day. No other cases could be received whilst workmen were making alterations there.
5 Apr 1918
Miss Cariss reported that at the time of the last meeting there were two girls in the house, both feeble minded.
Ref.X151/3
3 Jan 1919
Miss Cariss’ salary to be £38, Matron £28. Miss Ellis on leave of absence.
7 March 1919
Miss Ellis to have a salary of £30.
Miss Cariss to write to the Local Government Board stating that the Shelter may possibly be moved when some of the houses now occupied by the military became vacant.
4 July 1919
Ministry of Health suggested larger premises should be looked for. The house should be large enough for a nursery to keep such of the babies for which foster mothers could not be found and whose mothers were unlikely to be able to take situations where they could have their babies.
5 Sep 1919
The Committee inspected a house at 57 Bromham Road and decided to take the house at a rent of £70 per annum on condition a second bathroom could be fixed.
7 Nov 1919
57 Bromham Roadnot available. Decided a house should be purchased.
19 Nov 1919
Special meeting held at 97 Ashburnham Road. Decided house was suitable.
18 Dec 1919
Decision to offer the Waif & Strays Society £250 rising to £300 for the lease of building, fixtures & fittings.
2 Jan 1920
12/6 to be charged for a mother & baby entering the home from another town, and in the case of the mother with twins from Luton 15/6.
5 Mar 1920
Meeting at 32 Brereton Road. Nurse engaged.
9 Apr 1920
97 Ashburnham Road
£70 to the Waif & Strays Society for the furniture taken over.
11 Sep 1920
Mrs Adams appointed nurse at £50 per annum.
Twin babies of Mrs Davey be taken at 10/- per week.
11 Sep 1920
Miss Cariss to pay one or more girls for domestic work at her discretion but not to exceed £25.
10 Dec 1920
Home dedicated by the Bishop of St Albans 2 Dec 1920.
Miss Kemp, who had come to help Miss Cariss after the nurse left should receive £20 per year.
14 Jan 1921
Decided that the Home should be called ‘The Bedford & County Home for Girls’.
Paying cases should be charged 16/- per week.
11 Feb 1921
Miss Cariss & Miss Ellis to attend a conference at Oxford.
Miss Britten appointed as Nurse at a salary of £50 for 6 months and £60 thereafter.
2 Dec 1921
Resignation of Miss Cariss accepted with regret.
6 Jan 1922
Miss Mumford appointed Lady Superintendant.
3 Feb 1922
Between 6 Jan to 3 Feb there were 9 girls in the Home, Two girls sent to two year homes, and 2 girls received into the home. Ten babies in the Home, of which two were sent to Foster Mothers, one to an aunt and one died, leaving 9 girls and six babies at the present date.
Miss Mumford asked to interview Miss Ellis and offer her the post of Assistant Matron at £25 per annum temporarily.
An advertisement to be placed for a Nurse at a salary of £50 per annum.
3 Mar 1922
On 3 Feb there were 9 girls and 7 babies. During the month one girl was admitted, one girl sent to relations, one girl to a maternity home, leaving eight girls and seven babies at this date.
7 April 1922
Miss Ellis to remain as Assistant Worker under Miss Mumford.
On 3 Mar there were eight girls and seven babies in the Home. Since then one girl has gone to Canada to be married, one girl to another worker, one girl to the Workhouse. Three girls have been admitted. Two babies have gone to Canada with their mother. Two babies admitted. 8 girls and 7 babies at the home at present.
5 May 1922
On 7 April there were eight girls and seven babies in the Home. Since then 7 girls and 3 babies have been admitted. Two girls have left to go to situations, two girls on holidays have returned to their situations, one with a baby. 11 girls and 9 babies in the Home at this date.
2 June 1922
On 5 May there were 11 girls and nine babies in the Home. Since then two girls have been admitted, one girl left for confinement and returned to her relations, leaving 12 girls and 9 babies in the Home at present.
Miss Gilbertson had arrived in May and would stay for two months as Trainee.
7 July 1922
On 2 June there were 12 girls and nine babies in the Home. Admitted since 4 girls and one for a holiday, and three babies; left 3 girls for confinement and one to a two years home. 13 girls and 12 babies in the home at present.
4 Aug 1922
On 7 July there were 13 girls and twelve babies in the Home. One girl and one baby have been admitted, one baby born in the home, one girl left to go to service, leaving her child, making 13 girls and 14 babies at present.
1 Sep 1922
On 4 Aug there were 13 girls and 14 babies in the Home. One girl has been admitted and two babies have been born. One baby has left to go to a foster mother. 14 girls and 15 babies in the home at present.
Miss Gilbertson asked to stay on as Assistant at a salary of £30.
6 Oct 1922
On 1 Sep there were 14 girls and 15 babies in the Home. Four girls have been admitted, and three babies, one of which was born in the Home. Two girls have left to go to situations, one to relations with her child, one has been married and taken the child. Three babies have gone to foster mothers.
3 Nov 1922
On this date there are 12 girls and 11 babies in the home. During the past month one girl has been admitted and one baby born in the Home, one girl has left to go to a situation, two to friends, one girl with baby has gone to relations, and one child to the Bedford Guardians.
1 Dec 1922
On this date there are 13 girls and 11 babies in the home. Admitted during the past month two girls and one baby, also two girls for short periods. Two girls have left to go to situations, and one baby has gone to a foster mother.
Ends.
The Home remained at 97 Ashburnham Road under Miss Emmie Elizabeth Mumford until 1932 when they took over the premises of the closing Bedford Training Home for Girls at 17 Park Road North (1 Hill Rise). Miss Mumford was Superintendant still in 1947.