On This Day, 7 June 1918

Birmingham Daily Post

Friday 7 June 1918

PRINCESS ALICE ORPHANAGE, NEW OSCOTT.

HELP WANTED FOR BIG EXTENSION SCHEME

A meeting for the purpose of inaugurating a scheme for the extension and development of the Birmingham branch of the National Children’s Home known as the Princess Alice Orphanage, New Oscott, was held in the Birmingham Council House, last night.

The Lord Mayor (Aldermen A. D. Brooks), who presided, stated that the institution had 20 branches and about 2,500 children under its care. The Birmingham branch provided for about 250 children. It had become obvious to the Committee of Management that there was scope for further useful work, and it was desired to extend operations by the erection of new buildings, including a hospital, a swimming bath, new farm buildings, and workshops for technical instruction. The object of that meeting was to stimulate interest in this work and raise a fund by means of which the local scheme could be carried out as part of the jubilee celebration.

The Rev. W. Hodson Smith, the principal, explained in detail the work of the National Children’s Home, and stated that they would require not less than £15,000 for the completion of the local scheme. Towards this sum a number of generous promises had been received.

Dr. Tasker and the Rev. S. M. Berry heartily supported the appeal, the latter stating that this was not so much a philanthropic work as discharging a duty so far as it is related to the children of soldiers who had fallen in the war.

Brigadier-General Sir John Barnsley also urged the claims of the orphanage, saying the need of the proposed extensions would increase as time went on, and that whatever the nation might do for children whose fathers had laid down their lives in the present struggle there still would be an enormous strain upon the Princess Alice Orphanage.