Fareham Home For Girls

Fareham Home for Girls was in operation for twelve years before it became the Society’s first home in the Winchester Diocese in 1883. Lady Larcom had previously established it as a place to teach girls domestic skills that would help them find employment. When she left, a local lady called Mrs Deane carried on the work. During this time the Home was almost entirely self-supporting - living from the profits from the girls' work in laundry and needlework .

The Home was formally transferred to the Society on 29th September (Michaelmas), along with thirty girls (aged 12-16). The Home continued with domestic training and in 1889, a third laundry maid and a new needlewoman were appointed.

Prominent figures in the history of this home were the Honorary Secretaries, Mr and Mrs Edgar Goble, and Miss Gittens who replaced them in 1888. She was in turn replaced by Miss Pain in 1909. The post of matron was occupied by Mrs Webb until 1889, who was then replaced by Miss Storie. One of the longest serving members of staff was Miss Letch, who worked as matron from 1891 until her retirement in 1908.

The Fareham Home moved to a new building in 1907, when the old premises became “too old for repair”. The new Home was renamed St Edith’s Home for Girls and was dedicated on July 19th 1907 by the Bishop of Southampton. However tragedy struck that year when the Fareham Donkey died! For many years, he had helped to carry the girls' laundry as well as performing “odd jobs' around the Home. Luckily the Home was promptly donated a new donkey as well as a small pony.

The troubles of war forced the Home to close in 1939. The girls were evacuated to Exeter, Paignton and finally to Sampford Peverell.