St. Edward's - Coleshill - March '09

[Muse]

Visited last weekend with Magoo² and Scary Mary on a day that was beautifully sunny until we got there.... then there was a hail storm and thick cloud for next 3 hours.

On 17 February, 1888, Dr. Ilsley became the second Bishop of Birmingham, and at once took in hand the difficult task of protecting and rescuing the destitute Catholic children of the diocese. St. Edward's Home for homeless boys was opened at Coleshill (Warwickshire), 6 November, 1906, with branch houses for boys and girls, similarly situated, in various centres, besides a Home for Working Boys and a NightRefuge, both in Birmingham.

I've heard this place has a very dubious past and we felt quite uncomfortable in some parts of the building but it was well worth exploring and photographing as there seemed to be a surprise around every corner, not least a fresh satsuma in the attic

The front of the building is most impressive


The big kitchens




Many many staircases



Don't think I've seen anywhere with so much wood. Paneled corridors and rooms as well as hundreds of drawers, lockers, floors and cupboards (one of them walnut).


There was some really funky, colourful paint here and 70s wallpaper that had to be seen to be believed. This is a William Morris pattern but I've no idea if it's repro or the real thing.



Several beds were left in various states of decay




Glass cocktail shakers found in the laundry, perhaps that's where they went for a sly tipple





As you might expect, lots of signs of this building's religious past