Together Trust Archive

Once again, we find ourselves near the end of another year. It has been a busy one in the archive department with World War One commemorations and research for our forthcoming book. We’ve also been preparing for a busy year in 2019, as arrangements for our 150th anniversary goes full steam ahead. We’re excited to be celebrating this momentous occasion and share our fabulous story far and wide.  Santa at an annual bazaar

Tuesday saw the culmination of many months work with the hosting of our ‘Gone But Not Forgotten’ event.  The commemorative garden at our Central Offices

On the 11th August 1914, the now famous ‘ Your King and Country Need You ’ slogan was published, calling for 100,000 men to join Lord Kitchener ’s new army. The call was answered within two weeks. Amongst them was Brian Crossley.  Your King and Country Needs You  © IWM (Art.IWM PST 0581)

With only a few days to go until the Together Trust hosts its commemoration event ‘Gone But Not Forgotten’ on Tuesday 13th November, the charity has been looking in more depth into the history of those who fought.    There are a number of historical documents available, which give more information around the men who fought in World War One . Records can range from generic genealogy records such as census data, revealing addresses and family details pre-enlistment, to more specialised documents such as workhouse registers, industrial school files as well as charity records, such as those provided by the Manchester and Salford Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges and Homes. In terms of military papers many soldier’s personnel records remain, including the British Army Service Records . The collection contains a myriad of army forms including attestation papers, medical forms, discharge documents and pension claims. These can be accessed through the genealogical sites such as Find My ...

While we rejoice at the advent of peace and the vindication of righteousness, we remember with awe the price. How many homes in our beloved land will mourn some who will never return! The end of the war has even renewed the sense of loss to many. We have our own sad yet proud record as an Institution. There was a ready response to our country’s need in the early days of the war from officers and boys alike, and we have had the sad tidings time by time of those who have fallen – a member of Committee, three officers in charge of the boys, and 29 of the boys themselves. It is indeed true of these, as of so many others that they, 'Died for us'. - The Children’s Haven (1918) On the 11th November 1918 , the country celebrated the end of World War One. Four long years of fighting had finally come to an end and people spilled out onto the streets, flag waving, rejoicing and singing. But peace had come at a great cost and for many, including our great charity, there were those who ...

It’s that time of the year again when quiet descends upon the Together Trust’s head offices in Cheadle. As its two schools, Ashcroft and Inscape shut up shop for the summer, only the main central administration building now remains open. Crossley Gaddum The summer usually signals the exchange of children’s voices for the sounds of drills and hammering. The six weeks of the school holidays allows a chance for building work on the now empty buildings. As both Ashcroft and Inscape use buildings built by the charity in the 1920s, it is perhaps not surprising that work often needs doing. The buildings now contain classrooms for the education of those who attend the schools, but 100 years ago they were built as children’s homes. Then known as Hayes, Shaw, Crossley and Gaddum, they housed both boys and girls, catering for around 20 in each. To those who lived there the buildings today still look familiar from the outside. There are still however, some features that remain on the inside o...

The Together Trust is excited to be part of a new online exhibition celebrating the history of the North.  

The Together Trust has been busy over the last few months preparing for its obligations under the new Data Protection Act, 2018 . This is an important piece of legislation affecting everyone, which ensures that the personal data organisations’ hold is kept safe and held legally. Consequently, this blog has taken a back step as we’ve worked to ensure your data is compliant with the new Act. However, now we’re back and we hope you’ll be back with us.  The age of technology

After the last few days of snow and ice hit the United Kingdom it turned my thoughts to some of the wintry conditions experienced by those individuals who had made the trip across to Canada in the late 19th century.  Marchmont Home in the snow

When the Together Trust moved to Cheadle in 1920, it took over a site, which formally belonged to the Milne family. The purchase of the estate, which cost £5,700 (around £125,000 in today's money), included 22.5 acres of land and Belmont House along with an assortment of farm buildings. Originally, the estate was supposed to consist of ten homes but in the end only four were built. Along with Belmont House these housed 120 children. By 1927 a Sanatorium was also built in order to cater for the children if they got sick. A rummage in the archive the other week revealed some statistics for the Sanatorium in its early days.  Sanatorium

January 4th saw the Together Trust turn another year older. It has now been 148 years since the charity began on a wintery morning of 1870. The charity has grown exponentially since the small terrace house was opened as a ' Night Refuge for Homeless Boys' . However, the charity’s ethos remains to provide a service to children and families in the local area.  As we are aware the small home was a great success and resulted in the expansion to a large Refuge on Francis Street and the opening of many different services throughout Manchester, Salford and beyond. Of course it was not plain sailing and the early committee members worked hard to make the venture a success. A report in the Manchester Evening News on the 18th April 1870 however, showed how it was difficult to ensure the good behaviour of the boys once they had been found work in the city.  First Home, Quay Street