| STMW History |
The ‘Devil’s acre’: the Industrial SchoolThe Revd Richard Malone described the new Industrial School in ‘Notes on the condition of St Matthew’s church and parish in the year 1851’ ‘30 lads were admitted and taught to make paper bags, and to print them with the names and addresses of the tradesmen who gave the orders. The boys were drilled and bathed once a week in the Public Baths. A barrister, Mr Fowler, acted as a most zealous and efficient secretary, and many of these boys were placed by him in situations where they could earn their bread. In visiting these schools one day, I felt as I walked down Old Pye Street, a hand striving to enter my pocket: I caught the hand and said to the young man “What, were you about to rob me?” He answered “Oh no, Sir! I only wanted you to get me into a Reformatory!”’. [5] |
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