I agreed to spend a couple of days in between Christmas and New Year's Eve visiting some of Dora P (aka Mrs X)'s friends out West - well, relative to Norwich, which isn't narrowing things down much I grant you. Actually, it wasn't any great sacrifice as they're now good friends of mine too. Anyhoo, a couple of days in to this I spotted a 2-hour window in our schedule which I managed to persuade Mrs X that instead of getting to her best friend's place a couple of hours earlier we should spend the time clambering over fences and exploring the nearest opportune site instead.
So here we have it: St Gerards. Rumour has it that there have been one or two reports on this place before, so I'll copy and paste the obligatory background, shut the fuck up, and crack on with a few shots.
The Birmingham Diocesan Rescue Society for the Protection of Homeless and Friendless Catholic Children was established in 1902 with Father Hudson as its first Secretary and Administrator. Father Hudson remained in Coleshill from 1898 until 1934. During that time the work of the Rescue Society grew, in particular the children’s homes. Its expansion included St. Vincent’s, a home for working boys in Moseley Road Birmingham, St. Edwards Boys Home, St George’s and St. James’ Cottage Homes for boys and St Gerard’s hospital for children in Coleshill. St. Gerard’s was the result of Father Hudson’s vision for a purpose built infirmary, not just for the boys of St. Edwards but for those from all Catholic homes in the Diocese and the Catholic children from the workhouse hospitals. Two new schools were established in Coleshill through the Society. Father Hudson’s devotion to the children, his patience, energy and great administrative skills guided this development and the Rescue Society became known colloquially as Father Hudson’s Homes…
St Gerard’s Orthopaedic Hospital was part of Father Hudson’s Society buildings across the UK. It provided services for locals and the neighbouring boys school, along with care for orphaned kiddies of early to mid 1900′s. The chain of society buildings started to close in the 1980′s, due to changes in NHS funding and how orphaned children were dealt with as a whole. St Gerard’s closed in 1988.
Thanks for looking, you beautiful, beautiful people you.
So here we have it: St Gerards. Rumour has it that there have been one or two reports on this place before, so I'll copy and paste the obligatory background, shut the fuck up, and crack on with a few shots.
The Birmingham Diocesan Rescue Society for the Protection of Homeless and Friendless Catholic Children was established in 1902 with Father Hudson as its first Secretary and Administrator. Father Hudson remained in Coleshill from 1898 until 1934. During that time the work of the Rescue Society grew, in particular the children’s homes. Its expansion included St. Vincent’s, a home for working boys in Moseley Road Birmingham, St. Edwards Boys Home, St George’s and St. James’ Cottage Homes for boys and St Gerard’s hospital for children in Coleshill. St. Gerard’s was the result of Father Hudson’s vision for a purpose built infirmary, not just for the boys of St. Edwards but for those from all Catholic homes in the Diocese and the Catholic children from the workhouse hospitals. Two new schools were established in Coleshill through the Society. Father Hudson’s devotion to the children, his patience, energy and great administrative skills guided this development and the Rescue Society became known colloquially as Father Hudson’s Homes…
St Gerard’s Orthopaedic Hospital was part of Father Hudson’s Society buildings across the UK. It provided services for locals and the neighbouring boys school, along with care for orphaned kiddies of early to mid 1900′s. The chain of society buildings started to close in the 1980′s, due to changes in NHS funding and how orphaned children were dealt with as a whole. St Gerard’s closed in 1988.
Thanks for looking, you beautiful, beautiful people you.
