Woodfield Hall: Sisters of the Good Shepherd
We recently received a request from Andrew who knew that his mother went into a home in 1951 called 'Colinton' which she remembered was run by nuns but nothing more.
I embarked on a bit of detective work, and now think there is a good chance that she was in an orphanage run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd Convent in a building called Woodfield Hall, Woodhall Road, Edinburgh. As there doesn't seem to be very much information about this home publicly available, what we have learnt is reproduced here.
Convent of the Good Shepherd, Colinton.
The Sisters of the Good Shepherd having opened a Home for Girls and Women at the above address, are now prepared to undertake Laundry Work. All orders will receive careful attention.
The Scotsman, 3rd September, 1921.
Other homes in Colinton
Lord & Lady Polwarth's Home for children
22 Colinton Road, Edinburgh
This was open in the 1940s to the 1990s
At least in the early years, it was only for children aged under five.
It appears it was set up by the Church of Scotland.
Waverley House Home for Working Boys
82 Colinton Road, Edinburgh
Waverley House was built in 1884 for Duncan Cameron, pen-maker. It is described by the Historic Environment Scotland website as "2-storey with basement to rear, 3-bay villa, irregular-plan; yellow sandstone, polished ashlar; distinctive pen-nib carving and heavy frieze and cornice, pedimented gable- and dormerheads and chimney copes; cill course at 1st floor level." It is a listed building.
At an as yet unknown time, it was used to house boys who were leaving other care institutions but not yet of an age to be independent. A working boys home was for those who had jobs or apprenticeships but no family home to live in. They lived in the children's home and paid towards their board and lodging from their wages.
Edinburgh Home for Babies and School of Mothercraft
30 Colinton Road, Edinburgh
It was certainly open in the 1930s and 1940s - perhaps the need for it arose because of babies whose parents were working for the war-effort, or whose parents were killed or injured by the war..
This home appears to have been for orphan or abandoned babies but also used this as a resource for training nurses. "Students of the school were able to get plenty of practical experience with babies, and taught about how to care for children".
There is a photo from the home on this page https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/gallery/25-incredible-photos-show-what-16703991 (external website)
The organisation is may now be a registered charity known as the Avenel Trust although it has not been possible to confirm this.
Woodhall Road, Colinton, Edinburgh
RESCUE WORK
EXTENSION OF COLINTON HOME
The importance of reclamative and protective work among young girls in our great cities requires no stressing. Those who are most familiar with the problem know that there are always far more cases needing special care than can ever he accommodated. They therefore welcome any contribution that is made to ease their burden. In this connection it is interesting to note the considerable extension which is being carried out at the Convent of the Good Shepherd out at Colinton, Midlothian. The mansion house of Woodfield was acquired by the Roman Catholic Order of the Good Shepherd in 1921, as a rescue home for women and girls in need of protection and reform. Since that date it has been quietly carrying on its work, no fewer than 270 girls having passed through it in that time. The number at present undergoing training is 53, but when the present structural additions have been made it is hoped to find room for probably over 100.
The Convent stands in its own spacious grounds of 29 acres, facing the Pentland Hills, the gardens sloping on the north side to the Water of Leith. A long avenue leads to the substantial three-storeyed house, before which stretch wide lawns, with shrubs and trees, where it is proposed one day to build a church. The building at present in course of erection consists of an entirely new wing begun in March of this year, also three storeys in height and measuring 80 feet by 30 feet, with an adjoining laundry measuring 100 feet by 30 feet. Mr W. Y. Devlin, A.R.I.B.A., Aberdeen, is the architect.
The girls are brought in to the Convent by workers of all kinds interested in their welfare, and except when they are on probation, the inmates come entirely of their own free will. No compulsion is exercised to get them to stay. The length of stay varies with circumstances, but is generally about two years. During that time they are under fairly severe discipline, and have to work hard, each in her Dutch cap and print dress, taking her full share of household duties, and learning to be an efficient laundrymaid and needlewoman. The object of the training given, besides helping the girls to develop into good and useful citizens, is to fit them for domestic service and to help them eventually to find suitable employment. Provision is also made for after care.
The Scotsman, 5th October, 1928
LOOKING FOR RECORDS?
As it came under the auspices of Edinburgh City Council in its latter years, it could be worth contacting them for records of time there or alternatively, contacting the Good Shepherd order itself. I have found two email addresses for it but have not been able to discover which, if either, is correct I am afraid. The first is com@gssweb.org. The second is gssarchives@aol.com
The website of the Order of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd can be found here https://rgs.gssweb.org/ (external website)
If you can help pin down how to find records for this home, please do let us know.
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