Childrens Home, Bowdon

[frankray]

Chesham House, Chesham Place, Bowdon, Altrincham: 

I would be interested to learn the history of Chesham House back to around 1940.  Electoral rolls give the impression, that in the 1970’s, this address was a building which housed various people, possibly in small flats.

I am searching for a Children’s Home in the area where children may have been placed for adoption.
Any help in discovering more about this address, and perhaps that of a local Children’s Home, would be of great assistance in the search for a previously unknown sister.

 Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[CaroleW]

Would Cheshire Council be able to help?  Their records may show it's history from a planning application point of view

[mshrmh]

Hi Frankray - Bowdon (with an o not an e - may help on searches) is covered by Trafford Council and has been since 1974 local goverment re-organisation. As such Trafford Local Studies Library may be able to help with general information as to whether Chesham House was a children's home or whether there were others in that area.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/04sr/

Googling I've found a few potential connections:
re St Christopher's & Ingledene http://www.rootschat.com/links/04sp/
re Ingledene (Children's Society) http://www.rootschat.com/links/04sq/

[frankray]

Hi CaroleW & mshrmh,
Thank you both for your help and suggestions. I shall be checking out the websites and planning office.
The Bowdon spelling mistake is now corrected - a senior moment........... thanks for pointing this out.
Frank Ray

[mcaine]

I used to walk past a childrens home on the left as you walked up Richmond Hill (Road) towards Bowdon CofE primary school - this would be 1952 to 1957 - I can't for the life of me remember its name though - but there were only 3 or 4 very big houses (ex cotton magnate mansions) on the left as you walked up this hill.

Oooops - just looked at posts above - the name was INGLEDENE - it all comes back now !!

The other main childrens home in Bowdon was Beechmount on Langham Road - & this was definitely still 'active' in the '70s

[frankray]

Hi mcaine,
Many thanks for giving me this local information. Both Richmond Road and Langham Road are only a stones throw from Chesham Place.
Cheers
Frankray

[mcaine]

your most welcome m8

[mcaine]

Ray - my wife just informed me that Chesham House is now a Nursing Home for old folks

[mufc99]

Could this be the answer you were looking for.

In approximately 1994 there was a development 'Richmond Green' by P J livesey in a site off Richmond Road, Bowdon, WA14 2UB.  The original property Ingledene I believe was a Childrens Home and was converted into 2 large semi detached houses.  In the grounds was a modern small bungalow, built for a member of staff I think, which was demolished.  In the grounds Livesey's built 4 detached properties, the fourth house was achieved when Livesey's bought some additional land from an adjacent property.  Look at Google maps and I think all will be clearer.

By the way the owner of one of the two semi detached houses (half of the original Childrens Home) subsequently bought the adjoining property and converted the building back into a single dwelling, which is as it now remains although the owner sold the property about 3 years ago.

Hope this answers the question and perhaps solves the mystery - good luck.

PS - Chesham House was converted to apartments a couple of years ago.