Description:Situated on Clay Street, Penkridge, opposite the Methodist Chapel. Also known as “St. Margaret’s Home for Girls”. Opened as an orphanage in 1885 as a purely local charity. From 1893 to 1923 it was part of the Church of England’s Society. The building was left to the Church of England by the Rev. Cecil Littleton when he died, in Rugeley, in 1912. It housed about 20 girls between 7 and 14.
This c1970 photograph shows the building arranged for domestic housing. The building was demolished in 1980 and replaced by 3 houses collectively known as Littleton Mews*. The only remaining part is the “lean-to” building on the right which was a bothy for the gardener of the adjacent Cuttlestone House. During World War II it housed a family of 3 evacuees.
Sources: “Hidden Lives Revealed, Children in Care 1881-1918”
Click on related liks below for the Hidden Lives Revealed web site
“Times”, March 18th, 1912
“Penkridge, A brief village history and a selection of local walks” Penkridge Parish Council, 1992
A History of Penkridge, J.C. Tildesley, 1886