Seeing the link to our online catalogue posted above reminded me that I had carried out some more research since I wrote the extract shown. In particular, it is now clear that the correct spelling of the home’s name from 1941 onwards was always Hopedene, a fact confirmed by entries in various year books and periodicals, as well as primary records produced at the home. In addition, parts of my original were a bit confused.
As it is likely to be some time before the online version of the catalogue is next updated, I enclose my latest draft of the admin history for Hopedene below:The Salvation Army opened a maternity home at
Catherine House, 63 Osborne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle on 14th May 1923. The home moved to
Eastwood, Jesmond Park East, Newcastle on 6th March 1941, which was renamed
Hopedene on 3rd April of the same year. The Medical Officer of Health gave consent for
Hopedene to receive private maternity cases from 27th October 1941. As was the case with many Salvation Army homes, the income from the private patients helped to subsidise the home’s main work. On 2nd October 1950 the home moved again, this time to
The Gables, Elswick Road, West End, Newcastle, which was renamed
Hopedene.
The Gables had been opened in 1919 as the West End branch of
The Princess Mary Maternity Hospital. In 1922 the hospital moved to new premises in Jubilee Road and it was decided then that
The Gables should be totally independent. In 1948 the NHS decided not to take
The Gables over in its rationalisation of local health services and by 1950 the home was in financial difficulties, was forced to close, and was sold to the Salvation Army.
The address of
The Gables had been 18 Gloucester Terrace, although as
Hopedene the building’s address was 1a Gloucester Terrace. The National Archives site gives a postcode to go with the address, NE4 6RH. This corresponds with just one address on the current Royal Mail database, which does not have a number;
Elswick Hall Nursing Home, Gloucester Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6RH.
Hopedene was a maternity hospital until 1973, when it became a maternity home with accommodation for 6 and a Hostel for women and children with 24 beds. A year later, the maternity home was closed so
Hopedene was now entirely a hostel for women, with 30 beds. In 1975, an annex was added as an eventide home for 9 women.
Hopedene operated as a combined hostel and eventide Home until it was closed in 1994. The old house was demolished in 1996, and
Elswick Hall Nursing Home is modern purpose-built building.
SourcesWomen’s Social Homes and Hostels, Book 3
http://apps.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/details.asp?id=1522, accessed 18/9/14
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/eyedot/tags/hopedene, accessed 18/9/14
The Salvation Army Year Book, various
The Deliverer, various
Girls’ Statement Books, various
Regards
KevinMajor Kevin Pooley
Social Historian
The Salvation Army
International Heritage Centre
William Booth College
Champion Park
London
SE5 8BQ
Direct Line (020) 7326 7806
Switchboard (020) 7326 7800
