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Ancestry UK

Ministering Children's League Home, Ottershaw, near Chertsey, Surrey

The Ministering Children's League was founded in 1885 by the Countess of Meath (formerly Lady Brabazon). The organisation, whose membership was open only to children, who were encouraged to develop habits of kindness, unselfishness and usefulness, and a desire to help the needy and suffering. The rule of the League was that 'every member must try to do at least one kind deed every day'. Branches of the League were established in Canada, Australia and India, with its membership reaching 35,000 by 1890.

In 1888, funds raised by the League was used to help establish a home for destitute boys at Brox Road, Ottershaw, near Chertsey, Surrey. The land for the Home was provided by Lady Meath. A home for 21 boys was opened in 1888 and a home for 22 girls in 1890. Another home for 21 boys was completed in 1895. A sanatorium was built in 1906 by the Countess of Meath and given to the League for use by convalescents.

Boys were admitted between the ages of 5 and 8 years. When they were old enough, they were sent to the School of Handicrafts in Chertsey to learn trades such as carpentry, tailoring, boot making, farming and gardening.

Ministering Children's League Home, Ottershaw, c.1915.

Ministering Children's League Home, Ottershaw, c.1915.

Ministering Children's League Home, Ottershaw - at camp, c.1915.

Ministering Children's League Home - camp in the woods, Ottershaw, c.1915.

In 1930, the establishment was renamed the Meath Home. It subsequently became the Meath School, now run by the charity I CAN for primary aged children with speech, language and communication needs.

Records

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Bibliography

Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.