Ridge Park Children's Home and Dunavon Children's Home

[taggs]

eney one here been in dunavon home from 19.69 t0 74

[Neil9769]

Hi i was in Ridge Park Home form 1970 to 1979 from the age of about 1 i was taken there by the Mrs M Brown and family how was the house head any how i remimber some staff names and residents however its been 41 years since being there. i was in a few place befor that as baby as i said i moved in around May, June 1979 to the infamous Quarriers Homes 1979 to 1984 age 15 when i had anuff got put foster cares more like a bedsite the young couple where really nice got my own plcae by 16 got sick shity YTS joined Army at 18 and looked back. life has had its up and downs any how i count my blessings as they say i not dead, a junky, in jail so on. Neil

[Gary Clapton]

I too am looking for details, info etc relating to Dunavon Children's Home in Lanarkshire. This is on behalf of a Nigerian/Sottish guy who was born in January 1963 and spent a few months in Dunavon before being fostered out and adopted. All I can find so far is a old photo of the place before it became a children's home and an extract from The Scotsman in 1945 relating to the running of the place. G.

[Currie]

Hello Gary, and Welcome to TalkingScot.

You could try the British Newspaper Archive. A search there for Dunavon and Strathaven brings up quite a few results. Many are job advertisements but there’s probably something of much more interest. There appears to be some relatively recent letters from former residents seeking contacts.
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co. ... n=scotland

Also for Ridge Park Home, the results are mainly relating to employment, but give an indication of years operating.
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co. ... ore&page=0

Unfortunately it’s a pay site, and rather expensive in my opinion. There may be a mean and miserable free trial lurking there somewhere.

Some libraries subscribe to this service but it usually has to be accessed in the library and not from home. For example see NLS https://auth.nls.uk/eresources/browse/category/99

Best of luck,
Alan

[Currie]

A bit more.

Lanarkshire County Council report dated 1947 regarding the taking over of Ridge Park House by the County Council, to be used for the accommodation of young children under school age, and as a feeder for Dunavon House, which should be used as far as possible for children aged 5 and over.
https://www.google.com.au/books/edition ... frontcover


“New Society” 1973.
SUPERINTENDENT (£1,861 to £2,100) required at Ridge Park House, Lanark, a children’s home for 16 children aged 2 to 17 years. This post is suitable for a man experienced in the residential care of children and possessing an understanding of their needs. Ridge Park House is situated in its own grounds and is a short walk from the town centre. Staff accommodation is regrettably small and only provides two bedrooms and shared sitting room . Applicants will be expected to contribute……….
https://www.google.com.au/books/edition ... frontcover


“The Child in Care” 1972
LANARKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Social Work Department DUNAVON HOUSE CHILDREN'S HOME , STRATHAVEN.
Dunavon Children's Home, Strathaven, provides short and long term care for 60 boys and girls including several teenagers . Applications are invited separately or jointly from couples for the undernoted posts . A small flat will be available . DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT Salary £ 1350 / £ 1644 ( less £ 237 for emoluments ) We are looking for man with enthusiasm ...…
https://www.google.com.au/books/edition ... frontcover


“Annual Report” 1981
STRATHCLYDE REGION Dunavon House, Strathaven (later 19th century) . An application to demolish this italianate mansion has been made . Owned by Strathclyde Regional Council, it has been left empty and allowed to deteriorate as a result of vandalism, rot and arson.
https://www.google.com.au/books/edition ... frontcover


Alan