Together Trust Archive

In two of our previous blog posts we discussed the role the Crossley family played in the Charity’s history, chiefly the involvement of Sir William John Crossley 1st Bt. and his son, Brian Crossley . The motor engineering entrepreneur Sir William Crossley held the position of Trustee and later Chairman of the Manchester Refuges Committee. Brian, alongside a number of other philanthropic Crossley relatives, including his brother Eric, was also one of the Refuge’s Committee members. Sadly, Brian’s years were cut short in the Second Battle of Artois in 1915. Upon Sir William’s death in 1911, another of his sons, Kenneth (1877-1957), assumed his Baronetcy and hereditary knighthood. Sir Kenneth Irwin Crossley 2nd Bt. was the Chairman of Crossley Brothers and Crossley Motors Ltd; with his inheritance he took on his father’s role as Property Trustee of the Manchester Refuges as Sir William had previously assisted in the purchase of the Rosen Hallas ‘Training Home for Girls’ on Bury Old Roa...

Much has been discussed in this blog about the emigration of the many young orphans of the Manchester and Salford Boys' and Girls' Refuges and Homes (and those in the care of other charities) in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Whilst the idea of the mass migration of vulnerable young children who had undergone life changing and traumatic events actions is unthinkable in the present day, it is, however, important to acknowledge and understand the circumstances which led to this. The first question we may now ask is whether the actions of these organisations was fully in the interest of the children: did places like Canada truly offer a new beginning, far removed from the poverty and squalor of urban Britain, or did the removal from familiar surroundings and family simply compound a child’s isolation and suffering? Did these wealthy philanthropists even consider such effects on the child, and were they truly motivated by philanthropic ideals or a need to remo...

As we hit 2019, the Together Trust once again finds itself on the brink of yet another birthday. This is its last one before the big 150 in January next year. Like many of us, teetering on the edge of a decade, we gaze back in wonder at how quickly the years have passed and what has been achieved in the last decade.  Our earliest photograph taken 1873

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...