![Town Thornes as a house, which became a special school for Coventry Corporation, Easenhall. 1920s[Prior to Town Thorns being a special school it had been a childrens home and a school] | IMAGE LOCATION: (Warwickshire County Record Office)](https://d23iiv8m8qvdxi.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/8096-0-885x568.jpg "Easenhall. Town Thorns")
Sir Alfred Herbert acquired Town Thorns Manor at Easenhall in the late 1930s as place to which Coventry children could be evacuated in time of war, and gave it to Coventry City Council. After the war, it was turned into a school for children with learning difficulties. The Town Thorns Residential School for ESN Children was opened in January 1954, run by a Mr Brittan and his wife.
Letters
Mr Brittan wrote to Sir Alfred and Lady Nina Herbert in January 1954:
Many times since January 20th when we opened as a residential school for ESN children, the boys and girls have spoken about the “lovely house” and “when are Sir Alfred and Lady Herbert coming to visit us?” We are very grateful for this opportunity to work with these problem cases in such delightful surroundings, and both the children and staff would welcome the chance to thank you personally. Perhaps the best thanks you can receive is to know how great has been the change for good in these children – mentally, morally and physically.
One of the children wrote to them on 1st November 1954, “I am writing to thank you for giving us the use of this school and its grounds. Perhaps you would like to visit us one day for lunch or tea. Please write to say when you can come. Our album will show you some of the things we are doing here. Yours faithfully, Pauline Plant”.
Later letters
Later letters – written up until 1956 (Sir Alfred died in 1957) thank them for various gifts – a boat for use on the lake, ‘waist slips’ for the girls, fountains pens and propelling pencils and the like.
Although after Sir Alfred died in 1957, Lady Herbert maintained her links with the school, but she suffered a stroke in 1963 and never recovered.
This article was originally published on the author’s blog, and is reproduced with their permission.
Comments
That was a great school went there I was 7years old shame i had to leave due to it closing when I was around 14 or 15
When I was sent there in 1947 (aged 7) Town Thorns was a school for children either without parents or whose parent(s) were unable to take care of them. This changed following the 1948 Children’s Act when it became a Children’s Home and the children were taken by bus each day to the nearest Coventry schools . It was only later, following Coventry’s move to “Family-type homes” spread across the city that its function changed to that of a home/school for ESN children.
I went to this school in 1976 till 1979 then wen on to Sidney Stringer in Coventry
I attended Town Thorns when it was a children’s home and later a school. I am unsure of the years I was there, however I know that I was definitely there in 1947 (aged 7). I remember walking to the top gate and getting the bus to Binley Park School. I also briefly recall a tunnel where we had to take shelter whenever there was an air raid. I do not remember much more than that but have been trying to look into it further to learn more about my past. Reading other peoples comments helps to piece together more about Town Thorns and those who attended it.
I was at Town Thorns from 1975 to 1982. I had some happy times there, the food was lovely and the cooks were very friendly at that time. I would love to see it again, the headmaster at that time was Mr Dean College and his wife was Sally. He was a very caring man, and his wife too.
Mr College was the headmaster for the full time in was Town Thorns till it closed down. He was a great headmaster, always playing games with us and telling jokes; he was a great man.
I work at Town Thorns and the Old House is beautiful, I would love to see what it looked like inside years ago.
I remember going up the big staircase to the top floor to turn the playground lights on and always had the thought of the ghost, the grey lady, in my head and I would run all the way back down 😂
I wonder who remember miss Hancock her classroom was on the bottom floor of the big house she was funny
I went to this school 1975.to 1985 until left in 1985 well I can’t really remember much about it – our dorm teacher I think was Miss Webb, she was amazing. She would read us the most amazing stories at night. Mr Lewis and his beautiful wife were always very kind to me, he would send me up to help her with the shopping. Is there any photos of theses years? In this school I loved running sports Mr collage was a lovely man as well his wife as well.
Add a comment about this page