The Story of the Orphan Homes, Leominster
Paperback ISBN - 978-1-903360-55-2
£8.50
Out of stock
The Story of the Orphan Homes, Leominster
A charming historical account of the Orphan Homes in Leominster, written in 1883 by its founder Henry Stanley Newman.
“We call this a home, because it is intended to supply that which the dear children have lost”
-Henry Stanley Newman
When Henry Stanley Newman first opened the Orphan Homes in 1869, his aims were to provide a comfortable and supportive home in the countryside for orphans. Starting a new life in rural Herefordshire, the children had access to education, training and religious teachings for perhaps the first time.
This entertaining account of the Homes documents everything from the very first child under their care – Annie Philips, commemorated today on the Orphans Publishing logo – to vivid accounts of the wildlife surrounding the new building at Ryelands Road, which housed the orphans until its closure in 1951.
Small, limited edition pamphlet. Stapled at the spine (bound in the style of tracts from the period). Available in 3 different colours: yellow, pale pink or pale green. If you’d like to request a specific colour, please make a note in ‘special instructions’ when placing your order.
Henry Stanley Newman
A prominent quaker and philanthropist, Henry Stanley Newman is one of history’s unsung heroes.
Henry Stanley spent his adult life in the rural town of Leominster, Herefordshire. His dedication to good causes made him a pillar for the Quaker community at home and abroad. Alongside founding the Orphan Homes, he was a dedicated teacher at the First Day School in the town, an active campaigner for the anti-slavery movement, and spent time in later life on missions to promote the Quaker faith in far-flung corners of the world.
He edited Quaker magazine The Friend, one of the oldest continuously published magazines in the world, from 1892 until his death in 1912.
Prologue
I’m delighted to share this new edition of a little book that is very important to me. Written in 1883 by Henry Stanley Newman, the founder of both the Leominster Orphans Homes and The Orphans’ Printing Press, it is a testament to one Quaker man’s vision to live out his values and improve the fortunes of destitute children. The Story of the Orphan Homes truly showcases the heritage of the business I am very proud to co-own, and on its 150th anniversary this year the printing presses are still rolling.
As soon as I read this story for the first time, I was enraptured by the voice of Henry Stanley and the love for children that shines through the pages of the book. Although he never put his name to the original printing, perhaps because he saw his work as a community endeavour, we have taken the liberty of adding Henry Stanley Newman’s name to the cover. His Victorian values and deep religious conviction might not be entirely in step with how we see the world today, but we wanted to republish his words with no editorial intervention, so that others could understand his mission as a committed Quaker to improve the lives of those less fortunate than himself.
Whilst this is not a full facsimile edition, the text is unabridged and many of the original illustrations and advertisements are reproduced here. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.
-Helen Bowden, Publisher