On This Day, 20 September 1917

Birmingham Mail

Thursday 20 September 1917

PROBLEM OF FEEBLE-MINDED

BESFORD COURT AS A HOME FOR CHILDREN

AN APPEAL TO BIRMINGHAM

Many problems are wrapped up in the proper care and segregation of the mentally unfit. Much of the misery and not a little of the crime of the world is to be attributed to a weakness mind, to stunted mental development, allowed go unrestrained, and preyed upon by those of quicker mental activity who may be wholly unscrupulous. The national welfare depends upon the mentally defective child being taken when young and specially treated and trained, for otherwise it can have no chance in life’s race with those who are even normally equipped. Yet up to the present how little has been done.

The story of the Besford Court Home, where Britain’s ‘‘Peter Pans,” the children who never grow up, are to be cared for, is, indeed, a romantic one. It owes its inception to the Catholic community, which has ever been most zealous in caring for their poor, and for the young people—the men and women of the future. The Venerable Archbishop of Birmingham (Dr. Illsley) took the initiative and selected a parish priest in a poor district specially fitted to grapple with the work. This was Father Newsome, then of Chasetown, near Walsall. The Archbishop gave him his blessing and little more; the priest was left to carve out the scheme and provide the funds. But the Archbishop had trusted the priest, and started upon the great and noble work with knowledge that there was turning back; it must succeed.

A purchaser was wanted for Besford Court, near Pershore, a historic Worcestershire building. Here was a rare chance thrown in the way. It was a difficult problem and an ambitious one for a parish priest without funds, but resolution was there, and the opportunity arose as an answer to a prayer.

The mansion had been previously acquired by an American millionaire as a present to his wife, who had fallen love with it and demanded its purchase by her lord and slave, but after he had spent £60,000 in beautifying it and extending all in good taste and in keeping with the character and style of the original buildings, building operations suddenly ceased, and there as it stood, unfinished, the fine place was in the market.

The scheme was bold but faith was strong; the building was secured and the work of adapting it started upon. This is now completed, and children have already arrived the institution. From a health point of view the building and surroundings are all that could be desired. There is air, there is space; everything that is required to make the lot of the children as pleasant as possible and as profitable as circumstances can permit.

The girls’ dormitory was originally intended as a ballroom, and has a floor laid on springs, and the boys’ dormitories possess all the qualities that make for health and comfort. There is a bathroom fitted with footbaths and sprayers. Well-stocked orchards and vegetable gardens go to complete the picture, and the ruddy-faced bailiff is an advertisement for the salubriety of the place. Nestling among the trees are the ancient fish-ponds dear to the monks of old who at an earlier period occupied the house.

There are also very practical arrangements for the manual training of the children in well-equipped workshops by a staff of specially qualified teachers. A residential medical officer will supervise their training, their diet, and their health, and there will be open-air class rooms and outdoor occupations that the best may be made of feeble bodies and feeble minds.

The architect who planned the original extension was Mr. Wells, but the building has been adapted to the requirements of the home by Mr. Henry T. Sandy, of Stafford and Birmingham. Mr. H. M. Grant, of Messrs. H. M. Grant and Co., Ltd., of Cotteridge and Erdington, has carried out the building, while Mr. F. R. O’Shaugnessy has been responsible for a complete drainage installation. The home is governed by a Diocesan Trust, the chairman of which is Mr. Bertram Webb, and the administrator is Farther Thos. Aldhelm Newsome.

By the appeal that is now being made for funds it is hoped to raise £20,000. Once the capital debt is extinguished the Home will be self-supporting. Every pound subscribed will go direct to the fund, the expenses of the appeal are guaranteed. Queen Mary has written that she fully sympathises with the objects, and his Majesty the King “trusts that every possible blessing and prosperity may attend the good work.” The Lord Mayor of Birmingham has also sent message, and Alderman Neville Chamberlain has shown practical sympathy and support by contributing £250 funds. People will realise that this is not an after-war problem, but a very pressing-present one. The more closely we watch the springs of future greatness and prevent their failing, with the greater confidence can we face what lies before us.