Arnold Grove Home For Girls

The Right Reverend Bishop Trollope opened this home on 9 February 1887 with only six girls. Inside its 'wainscoted walls, and amidst other tokens of refinement and things of beauty' the Home had enough space to accommodate 50 girls (aged 12-16). This capacity was never reached, and there were never more than 30 girls living at the house. The original matron was Mrs Hutchins, though she was soon replaced by Mrs Jones (first mentioned in 1888) with Miss Skinner as assistant-matron and teacher. However 1891 saw the resignation of Miss Skinner due to illness and we believe Miss Lewin replaced her.

The Home's Secretary, Mrs Francis Burton, organised most of the girls' entertainment. This often consisted of a tea party at her house but regular trips to Skegness were also arranged. Each year she organised a birthday party for the Home. The second party coincided with the wedding of the Home's Chairman (the Duke of Newcastle), making it extra special. Mrs Burton retired from Arnold Grove in 1893.

Arnold Grove Home provided its girls with training in domestic service. The girls were taught to cook - a valuable skill that would help them find employment after leaving the Society's care. They even sold some of their produce - 1lb (0.45 kg) of homemade wheat-meal biscuits cost 7d (the equivalent of around £1.80 today). Girls from other Society homes with 'a vocation for the culinary art and science' were also sent to the Home.

Arnold Grove Home moved in 1894 to Newark and was renamed St Barnabas' Home for Girls.