Church Street decorated to celebrate the jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887.
On the right is the Red House which in November 1925 was opened as a Maternity Home (for unmarried mothers) by the Bishop of Chelmsford. The house had cost £888 to buy, furniture and equipment had cost £200 and repairs and alterations were £120.
The Chelmsford Chronicle reported; 'On the ground floor is the baby ward and girls' workroom. The first floor contains the labour ward, the lying-in ward (double bedded), and five-bedded room adjoining, with an isolation ward. Done white and pink, the rooms have a pleasing effect. At present there is accommodation for seven cases. The outer premises have been converted into a laundry, and a beautifully appointed chapel, furnished tho generosity of Mrs.Wythes, who, with her husband, has very generously supported the Home, while gifts of china from Lady Rayleigh, and several cots from the Mothers' Union have been secured. The premises their entirety have received the approval of Ministry Health. The Home will be under the superintendence of Miss Bennet, who will bw pleased to show any visitors over the premises, which are to be, her own words, not an institution, but in every sense a real home." Running costs were estimated at £400 a year. Money-raising proved to be difficult as many people regarded unmarried mothers as morally suspect and not worthy of their support (This is reflected in the article above the young mothers were called 'cases'.)
Within a few years the Red House proved to be too small and in 1933 the Maternity Home was moved to Sunnedon House on West Street.
Photo courtesy Coggeshall Museum
Date:1887
Ref: 100/30
On the right is the Red House which in November 1925 was opened as a Maternity Home (for unmarried mothers) by the Bishop of Chelmsford. The house had cost £888 to buy, furniture and equipment had cost £200 and repairs and alterations were £120.
The Chelmsford Chronicle reported; 'On the ground floor is the baby ward and girls' workroom. The first floor contains the labour ward, the lying-in ward (double bedded), and five-bedded room adjoining, with an isolation ward. Done white and pink, the rooms have a pleasing effect. At present there is accommodation for seven cases. The outer premises have been converted into a laundry, and a beautifully appointed chapel, furnished tho generosity of Mrs.Wythes, who, with her husband, has very generously supported the Home, while gifts of china from Lady Rayleigh, and several cots from the Mothers' Union have been secured. The premises their entirety have received the approval of Ministry Health. The Home will be under the superintendence of Miss Bennet, who will bw pleased to show any visitors over the premises, which are to be, her own words, not an institution, but in every sense a real home." Running costs were estimated at £400 a year. Money-raising proved to be difficult as many people regarded unmarried mothers as morally suspect and not worthy of their support (This is reflected in the article above the young mothers were called 'cases'.)
Within a few years the Red House proved to be too small and in 1933 the Maternity Home was moved to Sunnedon House on West Street.
Photo courtesy Coggeshall Museum
Date:1887
Ref: 100/30
Also in: Church Street
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