It was most interesting to read the story from Cheetham girl. Yes I was in Nazareth House from approx 1940 to 1946.My years there were most unhappy!
My Irish mother gave birth to me out of wedlock. Therefore she was forced to put me into a 'home' The infant home was in Bacup near Rochdale, which from what I remember was only for children up to the age of five.
It was run by Austrian nuns who were wonderful. So to be whisked away to the dreadful Nazareth house was traumatic to say the least. I never remember ever having a glass of milk ir a sweet or a piece of fruit!!
My mother and Gandmother used to visit as often as they could and bring some fruit or chocolate (whenever funds would permit) The nuns asked them to leave it on the hall table to be shared with all the residents. We children saw none of it.
I can remember at the age of 8 polishing the parquet hall flooring. - I still have scars on my knees from the sores due to the work.
Breakfast usually consisted of watery porage, dry bread and water to drink. The dormitories were freezing, The bedding was just a sheet and one cotton blanket-I would pull my nightie over my knees to try and keep warm. If the sirens went off we would be marched down to the cellar and sit on long benches til the all clear sounded. Some of the children were more petrified than I Some were given a mouth piece to put between their teeth to stop them chattering!!!.Never a kind word from any of the nuns.
Unfortunately the Sisters of nazareth had the knack of being so sweet to any relatives that came to visit saying 'what a lovely child Margaret is" It was like being brain washed, I never said anything to my Mother about the conditions.
We had schooling at the convent, and that was also traumatic, The nuns would hit us with their stick, one poor boy was so frightened he wet the floor, and the nun made him clean it up. I often think of him.
My mother took me out from the place in 1945/6 We lived in Franchise street Ardwick. The rest of my life is another story. It has been good to release some of my emotions. I am 82 years old in December. Memories are forever!!!