We are coming to the end of summer and I’m sure some of you have been lucky to get away for a beach holiday or dreaming of one as we sweltered in the heat.
A photo from the archive detailing a charity supporting local disabled children
Here we have a photo from our archive of some children on the beach enjoying themselves.
Reading the heading ‘Crippled Children’s Fund’ may make us flinch today as it is an unacceptable label, but this was a charity that cared for around 200 physically disadvantaged children in our town and was established in 1888.
Money was raised by local residents to provide funds to help these children and their families by providing relief and appliances (surgical boots and callipers, spinal carriages and crutches) as well as dietary supplements (cod liver oil).
Entries in charity’s ledgers show that the whole family were taken into consideration; the number of siblings, whether the parents were earning a living wage and also ways that could benefit the child as he or she approached working age by looking for suitable employment, if this could be managed.
Northampton children in LLandudno Pierrots
Funds were also raised for a holiday by the sea so selected children could have a two-week summer break and benefit from sunshine and fresh air.
In the early 20th century Llandudno was a popular seaside resort for numerous parties of such children (known as seaside colonies) from many industrial towns and cities around the country, and the local population of Llandudno were generous with their help and support.
They would organise charabanc outings, donkey rides, Punch and Judy shows and entertainment from a Pierrot show to delight the children.
A house was rented for up to 8 weeks each year for the Northampton children
Number 13, Crag-y-don Parade was rented for up to 8 weeks each year for the Northampton children.
This large three storey house was on the sea front and staffed by nurses from the charity and the children monitored by local doctors.
The lucky children would travel down in rotation, always staying at the same address, and this continued for 22 years.
The annual costs of the colony were:
1905- 33 children sent.
Total cost- £55.6s.7d.
1924- 40 children sent.
Total cost- £139.8s.11d.
An example of a letter home, written by one of the children:
“We arrived safely yesterday.
It was raining for most part of the way, but it cleared up when we got here.
We drove from the station in cabs.
We had tea as soon as we arrived.
Then we went out on the beach for a little while and when we had unpacked, we went to bed.
There was a bell rung first thing this morning to tell us it was time to get dressed and another to let us know breakfast was ready.
We had Quaker Oats for breakfast, potted meat, bread and butter, also marmalade.
They buy bread by the yard.
We have been playing on the beach all morning, watching the tide come in and building sand castles.
We had potatoes, greens and meat, and currant roll for dinner.
We have been having a quiet time in the house this afternoon.
We had bread, butter and jam for tea.
It is a beautiful evening.
The sea is very smooth and the sky a pale blue, and we are expecting to have a nice holiday.’’
When Manfield Orthopaedic Hospital opened in 1925 the Llandudno holidays ceased as the charity funds were redirected to cover the cost of running the hospital.
Julia Corps, with thanks to Sue Longworth and her book ‘The Gift of Manfield’