Britain's longest reigning monarch

Today is a momentous day in history as Queen Elizabeth II officially becomes Britain’s longest reigning monarch. She overtakes Queen Victoria’s previous record of 63 years, seven months and two days. She also becomes the longest reigning female monarch in world history. Of course the Together Trust has seen the reign of both monarchs. In fact it has witnessed six sovereigns rule over England during its lifetime. 

 Charity's Homes in 1952

The difference between Victoria’s rule and Elizabeth’s is quite obviously substantial. The Annual Report of 1952 wrote a report on the first 82 years of its work with children:

There has been considerable change since those early days; there are far fewer hungry and ragged children than there were then, but there are still far too many friendless and bewildered ones; friendless, because there are some parents who regard their children as liabilities; bewildered, because divorced or separated parents so often create divided loyalties and destroy the unity which is an inseparable from a real home.

In 1952 the Belmont Homes in Cheadle, where the charity was then located, had a visitor from a young woman who had lived in the homes in the 1930s. She was accompanied by her husband and her son. A university graduate she had moved to the continent where along with her husband she ran a school of languages.

  Sports Day at Belmont 1950s

In contrast the first boy who presented himself to the charity in January 1870 was in a state of utter destitution, and covered in vermin. For some time he had been the companion of thieves. His father had been committed to prison for burglary. He was taken in, and the next day sent out to sweep crossings, and returned in the evening with 8 ½ pence. A fortnight later regular employment was obtained for him at a wage of 6 shillings 6 pence. Within a few months his employer stated he was the best boy on the premises and he slowly worked his way up the career ladder.

The difference between childcare in 1870 in Victoria’s reign and 1952 when Queen Elizabeth come to the thrown was remarkably different. But throughout those years the charity’s resolve to try and improve life for those under its care remained.

The utmost one can do for children is to help them, sympathetically and with affection and understanding, to stand on their own feet and make their own decisions, so that they may step out into life confidently, hopefully and without fear.

- Annual Report 1952