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The Ormerod Home - St Anne's on Sea |
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The Ormerod Home St Anne's on Sea, Lytham |
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The Ormerod Home St Anne's when flooded by the North Sea 1952 |
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The Sisters at the Ormerod - Terese, Lila, Cecilia, Ester, Jeanette & Eletta taken 1950's |
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Lytham St Annes - Jan Hall (daughter in law of the Caretakers Mr & Mrs Hall of The Ormerod) Jan was once a novice at St Annes, Jan kindly supplied all the photos of the Home |
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St Mary's Broadstair's |
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St Mary's Broadstairs, built by the Founder Mother Emily - demolished in the 1960's |
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Outside The Ormerod Home, St Anne's |
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St Anne's (The Ormerod Home) Lytham St.Annes |
The Ormerod home St Anne's was virtually on the seafront - it was a convalescent home for children from the north of England. I spent my early life here until the age of 3. The home was demolished some time ago and I believe there is a plaque now where the Home once stood. The Home was often flooded with the North Sea so near, I do have some photos of this which I will post on here soon.
ReplyDeletelovely photos to preserve the memories. small error though it is the Irish sea.
DeletePhotos of St Anne's now on here as promised. Linda
ReplyDeleteHi. I am not sure if this(ormrod. St Anne's ) was the one. I was in during the 60s.I am from Manchester and was sent to a. convalescent home from the royal Manchester children s hospital. I had the best times (3 times ) I.used to look over the wall to the beach the sand yacht s were lovely to watch and the food and staff we're lovely. I am trying to find photos. Of the home during the 60s(sandie Shaw was singing puppet on a string) help finding some pics would be appreciated .Annette
ReplyDeleteHi Annette, It sounds like it was St Anne's was the one, they all appear to be on the coast, did you recall it being run by Nuns! It was definately a convalescent Home so children did come and go all the time. Do your family have any info for you! I am not sure if your details are logged in the archives at Ham. It might be worth writing to them. The address is St.Michael's convent, 56 Ham Common, Richmond Surrey TW10 7JH. You need to address it for the attention of The Archives, at present there are very little photos of St Anne's unlike St Edith's where the children were there for years. Nice to tell you that you are the first to enquire about St.Anne's, I was there at the age of 2, have no recollection of it though, I was moved to Clevedon eventually.
ReplyDeleteRegards Linda.
Linda, do you have contact info for the archives of St Edith's? Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Eileah,
ReplyDeletethanks for contacting me. All information is stored at the archives in Ham the HQ.
The address is St Michael's Convent, 56 Ham Common, Richmond, Surrey.TW10 7JH.
Also there is the annual old boys & girls party on 13th July at Ham, 2-5 pm, you would be most welcome. Nearest station is Richmond and the 65 bus takes you to Ham Gate. There are a few older Sisters who might be abkle to answer some questions your may have.
Kind Regards Linda
Dear Ladies,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting these photo of the children's homes. I would love to have files of these, and any other you have. Yes, these homes were indeed run by nuns, the Order of St. Michael, Community of the Sisters of the Church. My mother was one of them! She started work at the Omerod home in 1951 as a girl of 16, and subsequently became a postulant, and eventually a nun. Although she refrained in the end from taking her final vows, she spent twelve years in all in the convent. Her name was Sister Gwyneth, but she was born Marigold Drabble, known later as Rebecca. She wore the hand-made medieval habit shown in the photo from the fifties, and told many stories of her time at Broadstairs, Clevedon and the Omerod Home,... morning wake-up and cracking the ice on her wash basin, the two habits the sisters owned, made to measure, with the washable sleeves and apron, time spent in the embroidery room and then with the children, sometimes fifteen at a time in her care. Sadly she died in 2006 after a long decline from Fronto tempero dementia. However, she shared many tales with my siblings and me. It's wonderful to hear of people who lived in these places (orphanages and convalescent homes seem so lost in the mists of time here in Toronto). Does anyone remember a Sister Gwyneth? And do you know her Mother Superior, Sister Dorathea, lives still at Ham Common.
Yours truly,
Elizabeth Jackson Hall
Hi Elizabeth,
DeleteI have just read your post on here which I felt quite moved me. I was in the Ormerod Home from 1952 -54, then was moved to Clevedon. I dont have any memory about my time at St Annes. The St Ediths Group came about in 2010, its been amazing the response we have had from it. Most of us hadnt seen each other for 50 years. Most of the group are from St Edith's as it seemed this was the Home that kids stayed until they were ready for the outside world. The other Homes seemed to be Convalescent Homes taking in sick children from deprived living conditions.
By chance I met a lady 2 years ago who was once a Novice at The Ormerod Home, this lady a retired School Teacher gave me the photos posted on here. I will be seeing her soon as I am sure she will remember your Mother. This lady left the Order some 45 years ago and has never had any contact with the Community, I met her through my retail work, she was overwhelmed to learn that I had been in the Home, apparently her in laws were the Caretakers there, she left the Community to marry their Son.
I did wonder if anyone would respond to these photos so your message today was most welcome.
Not sure if you know but there is a Facebook Site called St Edith's Children's Home, we are most welcome to join.
Sister Dorothea is keeping well and living at Ham, might be best if you write to the Archives at Ham for any information on your Mother, the address is St.Michael's Convent, 56 Ham Common, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7JH, UK. They might take a while but they will help you.
Only wish Sister Lydia was still here, she would have remembered your Mother.
Hope this helps you.
Kind Regards Linda Rodriguez
PS Sorry I am anonymous but having problems linking to Google Account.
Hi, I am one of the children, who stayed at St. Ann's childrens home, when I was around 6-7 years old. I remember the Nun's and the many beds upstairs, and the big front lobby, where my uncles used to come and see me. Is there any way that I can find my name in the records for then.
Deletecan any one please tell me if ormerod home was on todmorden road i was there in the 60s with my sister hope someone can help me with ant information about home thank you
ReplyDeleteHello Jenny. my name is June, i was at the Omerod home in the 60s and i remember it was in clifton drive, some years ago i went to the home out of curiosity only to find it had been demolished, the surrounding wall is still there but there are now homes on the site, I still have a lot of memories of the home even though i was only 7 years old although i went back again when i was 11, I was asthmatic when i was young,I remember nurse rennie, one of the nuns, They were all very nice and looked after us all very well....Regards June.
ReplyDeleteits nice to hear from other people who went to ormerods
ReplyDeletei think i was about 8 when i went to st annes carol i am from west midlands
Deletei worked at Thursby home is that the same one in 1960s
DeleteI was in the omerod in the fifties my name was ann sheila Morgan I was in there with a boy called Michael onions and I remember a novice nun called sister Bernadette
ReplyDeleteI believe I went to the Ormerod Home, at the age of about eight or nine, as a result of the Local Authority (Blackpool) having a number of reserved places at this establishment. Homes such as this were built along the sand dunes near Blackpool in order to provide a healthy environment, in which youngsters from the north west could spend their holidays well away from the smoke and grime of the nearby Lancashire cottons towns. In my case, I was the youngest of four children whose father had died just some 5 years earlier. This meant my mother was out working both day and night to make ends meet. I suppose in these days you could say that I was sent for a period of respite. The period seem to last for about 3 to 4 months and stretched over the Christmas period. I remember this well as I had two parts in the Christmas plays the home put on. The first was as John the Baptist in the nativity play and then later, as one of Cindrella's horses in the panto. The days were spent either going for long walks on the beach or playing in the huge indoor playroom. Another vivid memory of Christmas was that we had Christmas pud straight after Christmas lunch and it was far too rich for some of us, so much so that some of us had the runs, better known as the trotts and had to have a second bath that night if you follow my drift. The staff mainly consisted of Anglican Nuns, fron an Order known as The Sisters of The Church and the regular Sunday services in the home's own chapel were responsible for my early grounding in the Christian faith which helped later on. I also remember the Nuns were quite firm as far as discipline went. However, I'm glad to report that I have no lasting nightmares to worry about these days at least. All in all a good safe opportunity to stand on my own feet at least.
DeleteI believe the above events took place round about the early 1950s
DeleteHi I'm jannette and was at omerod home in 1964 and would like to hear from anyone who would have been there I was 7or 8 I'm now 57 thanks
DeleteHi Jannette, I too was in the Ormerod Home at St.Annes, I was too young to remember as I was moved to Clevedon when I turned 3. My understanding is that that St Annes was a convalescent home for short stay. Its hard to find many people who knew each other as children would come and go within months. St Ediths at Clevedon and St.Mary's at Broadstairs is where children were sent permanently. Do feel free to join the Facebook Site "St Ediths Childrens Home" you never know whom you might meet, also there are a lot of photos from the past to present day.
DeleteRegards Linda Rodriguez
I was there early 60s Joyce Harlin Julie Harlin and Derek Harlin,do you remember sister Libby Mary?
DeleteHi Jannette, I believe I was in there around 1964 aged 8/9.
DeleteJenny - the Ormerod Home was on the corner of Clifton Drive North and Todmorden Road, St. Annes on Sea.
ReplyDeleteHi, I belive I have just seen a picture of myself on the beach, I am the girl to the right, in the photo with the Me sign above the other girls head,at St Marys, I don't have to many memory's of my time there don't know why I was there memory's I came from the East end my name is Helen don't know if any one would know me
ReplyDeleteHi I saw this photo the other day and I was shocked to see myself on this I am the girl on the right on her own I don't remember much of my stay here but remember the big wooden rocking horse in the foyer I was about 7 when I stayed and now I am 62 my name was Paula
DeleteHi I went to the Ormerod home for a couple of months when I was 9 in 1967 after my mum passed away as my dad was in wheelchair. I must have enjoyed it so much I went back the following year. The only memory I have is playing on the beach!
ReplyDeleteI believe my father may have been at St Mary's Broadstairs and also that his parents had trouble removing him ?
ReplyDeleteHe was sent for convalescant around the early 1930's.
I know it was a Catholic home because he says all he learnt whilst there was to say his prayers on his rosary.
Linda can you shed any light on why children went permanently ? I believe my grandma gad to actually steal him away on a visit.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
I think it's where I went in 1950's having been sent there after diagnosed with tb
ReplyDeleteI think it's where I went in 1950's having been sent there after diagnosed with tb
ReplyDeleteI have just been reading all the comments and found it really enjoyable. I stayed at Ormerod in the 60's when i was 12. I met a girl age 11 jeannette I think she was called and another girl Vivienne. I remember a little 4 yer old boy who said his name was Stephen pronounced stefan. He was abruptly told his name is Stephen not Stefan. He got so upset and i told him not to waorry I will always call him Stefan. I remember the Nurse Sister Bernadette. She said she was training to become a Nun. There was also Sister Julie or June. she was lovely but due to leave. My age is 60 now so if anyone reads this and remembers myself or others I would love to hear from you. Adrienne
ReplyDeleteI stayed when I was about 8 and I am 62 now I don't remember much just the big rocking horse in the entrance . I went back to st Ann's on Saturday just gone to find the site it was on and I think it's a new housing estate now but with the original wall round somebody says there is a plaqe but I couldn't find it
ReplyDeleteI was sent there in the late 50’s to convalesce after suffering from pnumonia and pleurisy. I only have two memories sadly, crying my eyes out when my mum and dad left me there, and playing in the sand dunes Iremember vaguely something about a little plane or glider would drop things and we would all try and find it I don’t know why this is still so vivid in my memory or if am imagining it.
ReplyDeleteMy name for the above is Michael Kerrigan I used to live in Oldham.
DeleteI was sent to st Anne's in the very early 60s at the age of 7/8 years from the Leeds area to recover from rheumatic fever and a patch on my lung the doctor said it would improve my rate of recovery. The only memories I have are also tinged with some sadness I too cried when my parents left but remember being taken by some of the nuns onto the sand dunes where we played for the rest of the afternoon but sadly tears returned at bedtime when whimpering around the dormitory brought back the reality my parents had "abandoned" me.I was only there for two weeks but it seemed a lifetime. Unfortunately I cannot remember any names of the nuns or other children but the sinister appearance of the red brick buildings and how the sand came up to the rear gate are still a vivid memory as was being asked what faith I was on the Sunday morning so the nuns could ensure which service I should attend as I didn't know at that time I was corralled into the group who stayed in the home and so went to the chapel there. I too have been back to see the building in the early 80s and am now sad to hear it has been demolished to make way for a new housing complex if any one has any photos of the home I would love to see them.
ReplyDeleteI also was sent there from the Royal Hospital Manchester 58/59 along with my sisters . Was a very frightening experience for me I was sent there because my lungs collapsed and I was in an iron lungs for months they also thought I had TB. I remember playing on the sand and searching for large shells , also when we went for walks we all wore dark coats doubled buttoned and walked two by two . We could see the Blackpool lights from the top of the building.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure if I was at any of theses houses but...
I went to a convalescent /holiday home in st Anne’s on sea, in early 1966 with my twin brother, we were 4 yrs. my mother was recovering from her 9 th pregnancy and delivery. We came from Leeds and we were catholic’s. My siblings went to Silver-dale.
My limited and perhaps confused memories are of a big house, there was a room with a big piano I think it might have been a big dark,shiny table, on the going home day there were toys on top we could choose to take home . On the first day we stood in line and undressed to be examined by a doctor. There were nurses there, I remember them at dinner time and perhaps at night time but don’t remember nuns. We slept in a large dormitory which was scary as a bigger boy was shouting and screaming. We were taken to the beach in push chairs by women or perhaps ‘big’ girls. The beach had black bits, perhaps coal or burned pieces of wood. At the cold, windy beach, boys could have orange juice and a biscuit, girls had to have milk and a biscuit- I was furious my brother got something better than me. We travelled to the home from Leeds in an ambulance but perhaps just part of the way. We were there for two weeks but it could have been longer. I would love to know where this house was and other people’s memories of it.
Catherine
Hi
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure if I was at any of these houses but...
I went to a convalescent /holiday home in St Anne’s on sea in early 1966 with my twin brother, we were 4 yrs old. my mother was recovering from her 9 th pregnancy and delivery. We came from Leeds and we were catholic’s. My siblings went to Silver-dale.
My limited and perhaps confused memories are of a big house, there was a room with a big piano I think, or it might have been a big dark, shiny table; on the going home day there were toys on top, we could choose some to take home . On the first day we stood in line and undressed to be examined by a doctor. There were nurses there and I remember them at dinner time and perhaps at night time, but I don’t remember nuns. We slept in a large dormitory which was scary as a bigger boy was shouting and screaming. We were taken to the beach in push chairs by women or perhaps ‘big’ girls. The beach had black bits, perhaps coal or burned pieces of wood. At the cold, windy beach, boys could have orange juice and a biscuit, girls had to have milk and a biscuit- I was furious my brother got something better than me. We travelled to the home from Leeds in an ambulance but perhaps just for part of the way. We were there for two weeks but it could have been longer. I would love to know where this house was and other people’s memories of it.
I think I was at Ormerod in around 1960, I would have been about 7. I think I was sent as i wasn't thriving,and also to give mum a rest (single mum with 5 kids).I remember being taken by my Grandfather by train,(that must have been hard for him) and crying all the first night in the dormitory. It was run by nuns , with some nurse help.We were taken out to town for walks, but the most vivid memory is of the sand yachts which ran on the beach just the other side of the wall.Nuns were quite strict, but if we had money sent by postal order, we could shop for sweets in the playroom once a week.Remember going into the basement when I was going home to pick up my things, and the smell of dust.I was There about 3 or 4 months I think.Think there was an older girl who took a shine to me , and gave me a very large stick of rock when I left.Went home with sun tan and bleached hair.Overall sad memories, but do think about it occasionally. hence this post.
ReplyDeleteI was at Omerod in the mid sixtys I was about 7years old, I was there for afew weeks while my mum was converlessing.
ReplyDeleteI was at omerod house 1960s probably 68, I remember been scared of the nuns they seemed to float, I dont remember anything bad about th⁹⁹
DeleteI think I was hear in 1964 with my two brothers I remember nuns and the beach and crying all the time for my mum who got married and went on her honeymoon,I remember how scary it was I wish I could confirm this but I believe they is no records
ReplyDeleteI’m trying to track down the children’s home my mother was sent to following the death of her father. I remember her telling me you got one set off clothes for the week but if they didn’t have enough you had to wear your clothes for a second. Definitely a place run by nuns, this would be 1950. She died 29 years ago so I can’t ask her any more questions.
ReplyDeleteI think this may be the home I was in about 1963/4, aged 8 or 9. I was sent to convalesce for a month after having yellow jaundice. I am from York.
ReplyDeleteAll I can remember is it was St Anne’s and was run by Nuns. Also I cried constantly to come home. I also wrote home saying I was unhappy and wanted to come home but I seem to remember the letter was censored and didn’t get sent.
If anyone has any memories of that time I’d love to hear them.
Hi there I believe my dad was at the ormeroed home for 4 years his name is David Carruthers
ReplyDeleteIt would have been the 1950s
I am wondering if anybody can help locate a little girl called Eileen McEwen who came into the home in approximately 1953. This little girl came from the Kirby area and was seven years old. I am trying to find out for an elderly lady who is a former headmistress and took this little girl under her wing overnight before she went to the home. If anybody can help with any information, please contact me on my email which is Jojorawlinson@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteThank you in anticipation.
My mother who’s maiden name was jean Wallis spent a month at Ormerod convalescent home Lytham st Anne’s the Christmas of 1952 after losing her father in the July of 52 , she was only ten years of age and had suffered a nervous breakdown, she was one of four siblings who’s mother was Phylis Wallis a woman who struggled to do the best for her children just after the Second World War as a single mother of four , she believes there was a sister (nun) sister benigna , she benefited greatly from this order of nuns and has spoken of this many times , does anyone have any information about this order , or more pictures , thank you 🙏
ReplyDeleteI was there about 1950 I went because I was not eating very well and losing weight I was there for 2 weeks and remember the nuns I am 80 years old now and very happy to find this site and read about the other children's experiences
ReplyDeleteI was there aged about 3/4 in 1947/48 after being abandoned. My brother went to a tuberculosis clinic. My only memories are of nuns and being on the beach. I have a photo but don’t know how to put it on this site.
ReplyDeleteSee above. My name was Joan Dawson. I cannot find any trace of my mother’s family. She was Margaret Turner married to Herman Dawson.
ReplyDeleteI was Paula Boothroyd I was there about 1961 I remember sleeping under like a balcony with a glass roof and always remember the rocking horse in the front porch I was sent for fresh air because I had a bad chest and your parents were never allowed in I found a picture on this site and it was on the beach and I was one of the children
ReplyDeleteHi everyone.
ReplyDeleteThank you gor your interesting comments about your time at any of the convalesent homes in the North West.
I was sent with my younger sister in the early 1950s.
I am trying to find out why we were sent there.
I have no relatives to ask
and my GP medical medicsl notes are lost from birth to age 16.
I can remeber a low wall between the beach and home sandy garden. A coveted area with one or more swings and a communal bath room.
I am looking for info about my mother who was there in early 50s.. Rosie..Rosaline Smith...
Delete
DeleteIt was early50 when me and my sister was there.they separates us but I was so upset cause we had never been away from each other so they brought a bed at side of me for my sister.we was frightened first but after a few days and weeks it was great ,my sister went to radio Station and was on Wilfred picklesreading a prom she wrote
My two older sisters and my self were there also in the50’s. Yes there was a low wall towards the beach. Our meals were in the big dining room were we we segregated from siblings . Nuns would sit at the back of the hall . When we went out we walked two by two and had these black double breasted coats. I have to say it was not a happy time .
ReplyDeleteI was sent by my doctor with a bad chest it was the smog in the mill towns that caused a lot I believe so we was sent for fresh air in st Ann’s Blackpool and I hated it I think I was about 7 years old so I was probably there in 62
ReplyDeleteMy mam remembers being in a home at st Ann’s by the sea Blackpool or near Blackpool. She remembers it being run by the nuns and walking on the beach . She doesn’t know why she was put in the home but thinks she was only there for a couple of weeks. Her brother was also put in a different home . They both came out but her mam wasn’t there to collect her . She remembers the nuns saying that she would have to return back to the home , so she told them she could walk from the train station to her home , which is what she did. My mam is 76 years old now .
ReplyDeleteMy mother stayed at ormerod in 1952 December including Christmas 🎄 she was ten years of age and was suffering after a nervous breakdown , she remembers a certain sister benignia, not sure if it is spelt that way , but would love some information if anyone has any regarding this sister of the order and/or pictures from that time , , thank you
ReplyDeleteCould anyone who knew of a sister benignia (not sure of the spelling of the name ) or who spent the Christmas of 1952 at ormerod and had any photographs from that time contact me please , I would be very great full 😊🎄
ReplyDeleteI am interested if anyone remembers a Rosaline Oakes at Omerod in the early 1950s. Possibly from 1951 up until 1956..
ReplyDeleteAs of last comment it would be a Rosaline Smith I am looking for.. early 1950s...either working as a young nurse or as a home resident..
ReplyDelete