Ancestry UK

St Michael's Home for Boys, Lyme Regis, Dorset

The St Michael's Home for Boys was opened by the Waifs and Strays Society in July, 1891, at Lyme Regis. It occupied a house that had been made available to the Society, rent-free, by the Rev. Edward Peek. The home was situated on Broad Street, with a path from its garden leading down to the beach. It could accommodate 20 boys from 5 to 10 years of age.

St Michael's Home for Boys, Lyme Regis, c.1897. © Peter Higginbotham

The boys rose early, with the eldest boy having to be at his work at 6.30am. In 1897, there were four who went out, returning to their breakfast at eight o'clock. The boys at home all sat down at half-past seven for bowls of porridge, after which beds are made, and then meet together in the small oratory for prayers. Then came school, and all returned home for dinner at 12.30, after which followed a game of football or a romp on the beach. Afternoon school was at two o'clock, and tea at five. After tea, there was usually dancing when the weather was cold until six o'clock, then prayers again in the oratory, after which the younger ones went to bed. The older ones then cleaned their boots and took turns in chopping wood and filling coal scuttles for the next day. The others who wee not on duty either played games or did wood carving or sang, with all in bed by 8.15 at the latest.

On Sundays, the boys wore sailor suits and on other days could be identified by the wearing of a scarlet cap.

The home closed in 1898 and the boys, together with the home's then matron, Miss Nosworthy, moved to new premises at Highweek, near Newton Abbot.

Records

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Bibliography