I have just found this site, and thought some of you might be interested to know that I have recently launched the Boscombe Historical Society - this is a friendly informal group for anyone interested in our local history (primarily Boscombe, Southbourne and Springbourne) to meet and share information. We have a Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/pages/Bournemouth/Boscombe-Historical-Society/184579186948?ref=ts

Our first meeting is to be held this coming Sunday 31st January at the Portman, Ashley Road, Boscombe from 5-7pm - there is no entrance charge. There will be a couple of introductory talks and a chance to meet other people with a shared interest in local history, within a relaxed setting. The group, so far, has attracted interest from a diverse range of people - we certainly don't fit the stereotypical stuffy image of historical societies! Why not come along and meet us and find out how you can get involved?

Unfortunately I live too far away to attend meetings, as much as I would like to.
I am interested in any information relating to The House Beautiful Convalescent Home which I believe was in the Derby Road area. Any help would be appreciated.
Regards.
David

hi
i'm not part of the Boscombe group but i can tell you the house beautiful convalescent home for children [ miss b j wright matron ] was at 11 Derby Rd Bournemouth. It was listed as such in 1945 and was so at least until 1967 but by 1975 was listed as the Bermuda Court holiday flats. Before 1945 i cant tell you..as to whether it's still there i'm not sure. It could be but there was a fire in a derelict building roughly where the home wi
i'm not part of the Boscombe group but i can tell you the house beautiful convalescent home for children [ miss b j wright matron ] was at 11 Derby Rd Bournemouth. It was listed as such in 1945 and was so at least until 1967 but by 1975 was listed as the Bermuda Court holiday flats. Before 1945 i cant tell you..as to whether it's still there i'm not sure. It could be but there was a fire in a derelict building roughly where the home was last year which may have been the same building? I dont go down there enough to know for sure. Hope it helps.

Hello David

I had not heard of the House Beautiful Convalescence Home before. My personal local knowledge mainly concerns Boscombe, Pokesdown and Southbourne...Derby Road is just a little over the border However I've done a little searching on the net and found an old British Medical Journal article which mentions the home - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2444295/pdf/brmedj07142-0029.pdf

There is also a mention of it in "Bournemouth 1810-1910, the history of a modern health and pleasure resort" by Charles Henry Mate:-
"The " House Beautiful " is another Institution for London children - established in connection with the Sunday School Union. It is, perhaps, more in the nature of a holiday home than a hospital, but without question its work is a beneficent one."

I don't know specifically what kind of information you are seeking about the home but I should be able to locate it on the 1901 census for you, which would give the details of staff and patients there at that time, if that would be of any interest to you?

Regards, Lisa