Was there an orphanage or childrens home on the site of Styal prison

[LizzieW]

I lived within a few miles of the place and I remember when I was in the top class in the juniors, not sure what year that is now, I guess year 6.  I was 11 so it would have been 1952 and a boy in our class fainted in class one day and from that it was found that he was hungry (unusual in our area and at our school even then) and he was sent to Styal.  We understood it was to give him more fresh air.  We all knew the school as more a convalescent home than a children's home/orphanage as amelinixon has posted.

He was only there a short time as I remember he went to the boy's grammar school the following year where all the other boys from our class went to, so he must have moved back home.

[Ordsallad]

Hi Tutin66,

Do you remember anyone with the surnames of Needham or Howard at Styal .... were the twins Annie & James?

[Garreth Morgans]

I'm just wondering if it was this Mrs Ramsbotham that absolutely destroyed my father for life. He was a complete and utter nightmare to be around... that anger he carried for life was just beyond belief. My father was at an orphanage there just after WWII and left when he was fifteen/sixteen. He speaks with total contempt of his time there.

[lightness]

I would be keen for anyone who was or knows of children at Styal from 1945 onwards to message me to see if they knew my Dad.

Many thanks

[lightness]

Gareth what years was your Father there ? My dad was there also but NEVER spoke of his time there it was that bad.

[Garreth Morgans]

He was there from 1946/7 to about 1955/6 I think. Not too sure exact years. My dad left when he was 15/16 and joined the post office. At that time, he was informed that because of his "class" he was not eligible for further education and therefore shunted to the post office.

[lightness]

Thanks Gareth that's the same time as my Dad. I have sent you a PM/Message on this site if you can access it and would like to talk more

Cheers