The Beacon Lodge
Charitable Trust
Supporting Charities Supporting Families
About
The History of the Beacon Lodge Charitable Trust
The Start
The Hornsey Association for Rescue and Preventive Work was founded by members of the local churches in that area of North London in 1907. It aimed to save young women from poverty and prostitution by finding them employment, and a property called Beacon Lodge was rented in Hornsey to provide safe accommodation for them and a social worker. In 1919 the landlord of Beacon Lodge wanted to evict the women to sell the house for £700 (a significant sum in those days), which would have been the end of the work.
The Bradleys
Mrs Florence Bradley from Crouch End had been heavily involved with the organisation from the start. When the future of Beacon Lodge was under threat she and her husband bought the house, and donated it to the organisation in memory of their only child, James, who had died of wounds in France in 1918 at the age of 21. With a secure home the work of Beacon Lodge grew, and 10 years later Mr and Mrs Bradley bought a larger house in substantial grounds in Eastern Road, East Finchley. Beacon Lodge was to stay there for the next 86 years. The Bradleys both remained fully committed to Beacon Lodge and its work for the rest of their lives.
Changes
Over the years the work of Beacon Lodge adapted to meet society’s changing needs. It became a home for unmarried mothers, then a hostel for young mothers, and later a residential centre teaching parenting skills at the request of local authorities or the courts. Eventually maintaining the property was no longer financially viable, and in July 2014 the decision was taken to close the residential centre and sell the property.
Now
The work of Beacon Lodge did not end with this decision, but changed yet again. The proceeds of the sale were invested and now the income provides grants to charities which have the same aims as the Beacon Lodge Charitable Trust – the welfare and support of children and their parents.
For over 100 years Beacon Lodge has worked with children and their parents who needed our support. We intend to continue this vital assistance to young people and their families in the years to come.
Our Trustees are:
Julia Roberts (Chair); Helen Nicolas (Treasurer); Amelia Fincham (Vice Chair); Zainab Kwaw-Swanzy (Vice Chair); Jake Cass; Claire Kavanagh, Clare de Courcy Ling.
Sarah Small is the Administrator.
Family Research
Beacon Lodge Charitable Trust understands the importance of family research for those that resided at Beacon Lodge. If you are researching a member of your family who may have been born at Beacon Lodge, our records are now all kept at The London Archives and you can get in touch with them at:
The London Archives | London Archives
If you require further information on accessing adoption records you can contact:
Adoption, Search and Reunion
Next: Charities we support