Appleton Home For Boys, Bolton Percy

Appleton Home was established in 1894, as the only boys’ home in the York Diocese. The building had previously been used as a convalescent home for sick children, and only modest refurbishment was required to suit its new purpose. Under the supervision of the matron, Miss Arthure, Appleton Home accommodated eight boys between the ages of five and ten.

A visitor to the Home in 1897 published an account of his day in the Society’s newsletter Our Waifs and Strays. Upon arrival he found the boys helping the matron with their Saturday cleaning, and preparing the midday meal. In the afternoon he met some of the children and they 'swelled with pride' as they showed him their possessions. The day was rounded off with a game of cricket, and the visitor found that 'although there may not be any embryonic Graces amongst them, it was very pleasant to see how heartily they enjoyed the national game.'

Appleton was only open for nine years before it moved to Boston Spa in 1903.