St Edwards Home for Boys, Coleshill - July 2012

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...

Mainly covered the Boys Home, but there are a few photos from the building behind, I'm not sure of it's name.

Been here a couple of times in the past but never gotten around to putting a report up, day started off well. We got in easy enough, getting out was not as easy though due to the building getting re-boarded up whilst we were inside, nevertheless was a good day still!

One of the many chapels. Chair. A TV and carved wood drawer. Suitcase and chair. Cliché chair and window shot. Various bits of kit in the hall. A collection of photos. A dressing table. Toy train. An old corridor, nicely decorated. Quite a damp stairwell. Inside another building that was a care home at one point. Jazzy carpets. End of the corridor.