Workshops etc., Home for Little Boys, Farningham

The Cottage Homes at Framingham were built in 1866-1867, the Princess of Wales laying the foundation stone. Spalding and Knight became involved in 1877 when they were commissioned to design a workshop block.

FARNINGHAM HOME FOR LITTLE BOYS - The summer féte of this institution was held on Saturday afternoon. The object of the Home is to feed clothe, and educate homeless and destitute little boys, whether orphans or not, who are disqualified from entering other asylums. It was established in 1864 at Tottenham, and two years later migrated to Farningham, where several buildings have been erected by the help of many charitable persons. It is one of the many institutions that are indebted to the late Mr. George Moore. The peculiarity of the home is that it consists, not of one large building, but of ten detached houses, each accommodating 30 boys, They are placed under the charge of man and his wife; and these ten houses, together with a chapel, an infirmary, a school-room, farm buildings, and a central building containing the master's residence and the workshops, make up a little model village. The committee attach much importance to this system of separate family homes, believing that it strengthens the wholesome influence that is brought to bear on boys. The programme of Saturday included the opening of a new building for stores and workshops, which ceremony was performed by the Countess of Zetland; and the foundation-stone was laid of an 11th cottage- home, the gift of a lady whose name was not mentioned. A luncheon in a tent, athletic sports, and the distribution of prizes go the boys were the other items of the day's entertainment while during a short part of the morning the boys were exhibited at work in their various capacities as tailors, carpenters, printers, shoemakers, and bakers. Those who have a turn for music are members of a band, which played at intervals a selection of classical pieces with much success. We may add that the cost of the new building, which has just been opened, and which contains a reading-room as well as workshops, has not yet been defrayed, and that the committee invite contributions, not only in money, but also in books, furniture, and other necessary adjuncts of a library. [Times 8 July 1878 page 11]

A block of buildings for stores, workshops, reading-rooms, etc. was opened on Saturday, July 6th, in connection with the Home for Little Boys, Farningham-road, Kent, by the Countess of Zetland, and the foundation stone of an additional house was laid by Mrs. Horniraan on behalf of the donor. Messrs. Spalding and Evans were the architects, and the contractors W. Downs and Co., of Southwark. [Building News 19 July 1878 page 67]

Reference        Building News 11 May 1877 page 482 – tenders
Reference        Building News 19 July 1878 page 67
Reference        Times 8 July 1878 page 11