My mother was born in 1912 and lived in the London area. The original family home was 12, Robeson Street, Mile End, London East. I attach copies of a card that Miriam's father [my Grandfather] sent to his wife Caroline Sarah [nee Bartington] whilst he was away in Weybridge - don't know the reason for his absence. He refers to her being unwell and in fact, at that time, she would have been in the early stages of pregnancy with my mother Miriam. I've also sent a copy of a picture of Caroline with Miriam on her knee. The information on the card tells me that this was taken by The Electric Studios, 63 Powis Street, Woolwich S.E.18. - so perhaps they moved to Woolwich at a later date.
 
In 1920, aged 8, she was orphaned and for some reason sent to Stedham village. She had four brothers, three of whom were just about old enough to fend for themselves. The eldest, aged about 17, took Miriam to Stedham and the youngest boy, aged 5, went to a large children's home somewhere nearer to the family. All her siblings are dead now.

 
In Stedham she lived in Myrtle Cottage opposite the green with 8 or so other orphans, including a baby of 6 months whom they called Baba. The initial woman in charge was quite unkind, but soon after mum arrived a woman called Miss Belchamber took charge and she was very kind and referred to as Auntie.
 
They were known in the village as the cottage kids. Mums best friend was Dorothy and two of the boys were named Albert and Freddy.
 
Initially Miriam was told she would stay a short while and be transferred to a home in Leigh on Sea - nothing came of this. She also had an opportunity to be adopted. Miss Scrimgeour explained that a parson and his wife had taken a fancy to her but by then Miriam was well settled and apparently Miss Scrimgeour believed residents should make their own choices about such things. Quite a modern idea for those times!
 
Their benefactors were Mr. Scrimgeour and his sister. They were obviously philanthropic and lived at Stedham Hall where she went to a Christmas party every year and received a good present. One year she was given a scooter and scooted down the hill with great glee. I believe the Scrimgeours ran a second establishment for 'crippled' children.
 
The children went bare foot except on Sundays when they wore boots and made significant noise when entering the church.
All the children attended church every week - morning one week and evening service the next. As to the choir - Miriam sang as a chorister from about 1924 and was in the Blackbird Patrol of the local Girl guides. They were fed and cared for and most girls went into service at age 13yrs - boys often sent to Canada.

None of the residents attended school. A teacher came every day at 4.30p.m. and they had tuition for two hours and home-work was set. I don't know if this was arranged by the local school or private. Miriam became an avid reader and literacy has never been a problem. Also the G.P. came periodically to check them out and there were medical and social reports.
 
I noticed the shop in the Vintage picture gallery and mum certainly remembers that.