Barnardo's Convalescent Home, Felixstowe, Suffolk
In 1886, a seaside convalescent home for up to forty 'destitute delicate children' was opened by Barnardo's at 5-6 Chelsea Villas on Cobbold Road, Felixstowe.
Cobbold Road Convalescent Home, Felixstowe, c.1907. © Peter Higginbotham
Cobbold Road Convalescent Home, Felixstowe, c.1911. © Peter Higginbotham
A hall at the rear of the home was used as a church and as a gymnasium. The building is now used as a local church, known as Raneagh Hall.
Barnardo's Ranelagh Road Hall, Felixstowe, 1911 © Peter Higginbotham
Barnardo's Ranelagh Road Hall, Felixstowe, 1911. (Detail) © Peter Higginbotham
Barnardo's Ranelagh Road Hall, Felixstowe, 1911 (Detail) © Peter Higginbotham
The building has now been divided up into three cottages.
Convalescent Home, Felixstowe,2013. © Peter Higginbotham
In around 1925, the home moved to Harland House on Undercliff Road, Felixstowe, which overlooked the sea.
Harland House, Felixstowe, date unknown. © Peter Higginbotham
From 1940 to 1946, the home was evacuated to East Tanfield in North Yorkshire.
From 1958 until 1960, Harland House was used a reception home. It then served as a mixed long-term home until its closure in 1981. The property is now a nursing home.
Undercliff Road Convalescent Home, Felixstowe, 2013. © Peter Higginbotham
Records
Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.
- Barnardo's 'Making Connections' and Family History Services — for enquiries relating the records of children formerly in the care of Barnardo's and those of other organisations absorbed by them.
Bibliography
- Barnardo, Syrie Louise, and Marchant, James Memoirs of the Late Dr Barnardo (Hodder & Stoughton, 1907)
- Batt, J.H. Dr. Barnardo: The Foster-Father of "Nobody's Children" (S.W. Partridge, 1904)
- Bready, J. Wesley Doctor Barnardo (Allen & Unwin, 1930)
- Higginbotham, Peter Children's Homes: A History of Institutional Care for Britain's Young (2017, Pen & Sword)
- Rose, June For the Sake of the Children: Inside Dr. Barnardo's: 120 years of caring for children (Hodder & Stoughton, 1987)
- Wagner, Gillian Barnardo (Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1979)
Links
- The Barnardo's website.
- The Goldonian Website — memories and information from former Barnardo's children.
Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.
