Hidden Lives Revealed. A virtual archive - children in care 1881-1981 * Image of handwritten text

Princess Helena Victoria Nursery, Grenville House, Ascot

Photograph of Princess Helena Victoria Nursery, Grenville House, Ascot

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Princess Helena Victoria Nursery, Grenville House, Ascot

Grenville House, Ascot, Berkshire

(1939 - 1969)

In 1939 the residents of Maurice Home, Ealing, London were evacuated to Ascot, living in a wing of a house owned by Mrs John Peyton. At the end of the Second World War the residents remained in Ascot, finding a property near the Church. This was called Grenville House in memory of Mrs Peyton's younger son, Thomas Grenville Peyton, who had been killed on active service in 1942.

The Home was opened by Princess Marie Louise on 27 July 1946. The Princess played an active role in organising activities for the Home, in particular knitting parties. From 1946 until around 1948 the Home accommodated toddlers.

In 1948 the residents of the Home performed 'Consider the Lillies' at the Royal Chapel in Windsor Park, which was attended by the King and Queen, with the Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.

In 1959 the Home was closed for conversion to a nursery. It reopened a year later with the arrival of the children from the Princess Helena Victoria Nursery, Catford, London.

The Home was officially renamed as the Princess Helena Victoria Nursery in 1961 and closed in 1969 as there was a lessening need for a nursery in the area.



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