In the words of Dorothy K Haynes, Old Girl of Aberlour Orphanage
Aberlour Orphanage is Born 1875In 1875, Miss MacPherson Grant from Aberlour appointed Canon Charles Jupp to be her chaplain. A church, rectory, school and orphanage were promised and in 1875 Burnside Cottage beside the Lour Burn opened its doors to four "mitherlessbairns" - Aberlour Orphanage was born.
The Orphanage in its Infancy 1875 - 1882
Despite the sudden death of Miss MacPherson Grant the orphanage and church became a reality at Campbells Park, Aberlour in 1882 thanks to a legacy left by Mr W Grant of Wester Elchies. Further residential blocks, a laundry and a hospital were added when funds permitted.
Despite the sudden death of Miss MacPherson Grant the orphanage and church became a reality at Campbells Park, Aberlour in 1882 thanks to a legacy left by Mr W Grant of Wester Elchies. Further residential blocks, a laundry and a hospital were added when funds permitted.
Canon Jupp 1882 - 1911
Affectionately known as the Beggar of the North. Canon Jupp held a strong belief, unpopular at the time, that every child had the ability to grow up and flourish in society, not withstanding the origins of their birth. He worked tirelessly travelling hundreds of miles preaching and appealing for funds. In 1885 he started annual jumble sales - Jupp's Sales - with people donating and attending from miles around.
Affectionately known as the Beggar of the North. Canon Jupp held a strong belief, unpopular at the time, that every child had the ability to grow up and flourish in society, not withstanding the origins of their birth. He worked tirelessly travelling hundreds of miles preaching and appealing for funds. In 1885 he started annual jumble sales - Jupp's Sales - with people donating and attending from miles around.
From Strength to Strength 1911 - 1928
Children of all ages and backgrounds flocked to Aberlour. Reverend Walter Jenks succeeded Canon Jupp following his death in 1911. He was able to complete the Boys Wing in memory of the founder. Two royal visits by Edward VII, King George V and Queen Mary helped maintain funds in troubled times. A special appeal was launched during the depression to raise funds for the increased number of orphans.
Children of all ages and backgrounds flocked to Aberlour. Reverend Walter Jenks succeeded Canon Jupp following his death in 1911. He was able to complete the Boys Wing in memory of the founder. Two royal visits by Edward VII, King George V and Queen Mary helped maintain funds in troubled times. A special appeal was launched during the depression to raise funds for the increased number of orphans.
"Wolfie" - Warden 1928 - 1958
In 1928, Reverend C A Wolfe was appointed Warden. He became well known throughout Scotland for publicising the Orphanage, now home to up to 500 children, and for masterminding fundraising efforts. He became a father figure to hundreds of children and a driving force in changes to the Orphanage.
The Orphanage survived two outbreaks of fire in the 30's and a Second World War. 1935 saw the opening of a holiday home in Hopeman, which replaced the annual trip to Lossiemouth. Dean Wolfe was awarded an MBE in 1959 and died in 1967.
The End of an Era 1958 - 1967
The Reverend C W Leslie became Warden in 1958. Increasingly an institutional upbringing became viewed as old fashioned and small family homes were first opened in 1962. The policy of building more family homes led to the difficult decision to close the Orphanage in 1967.
Aberlour moved their headquaters to Aberdeen and then to Stirling, and in 1969, the orphanage warden became the Aberlour Trust Director and the governing body was constituted.
A New Lease of Life 1967 - 2007
Under the guidance of Mrs M E Craven followed by Mr R Church, small houses in the main cities of Scotland allowed children to live in a homely atmosphere closer to relatives. In 1978 a new constitution was drawn up to allow the newly formed Aberlour Child Care Trust greater flexibility to respond to the needs of children.
Later, Mr Gerald Barlow, who was awarded the OBE, followed by Mr Bill Grieve helped to develop an approach allowing the organisation freedom and flexibility to respond to the ever-changing needs of children in Scotland.
Today, Aberlour is 'ready willing and able' to improve and expand services for children
During the past 3 years Aberlour’s organisational infrastructure has grown to match the growth in services and external regulatory requirements.
Aberlour is 'ready willing and able' to improve and expand services for children, young people and families and to continue what we started 137 years ago. Our ambition is to be the “Service Provider of Choice, the Employer of Choice; the Business Partner of Choice”; and to be regarded as a respected voice of influence on policy and practice that will improve the wellbeing of Scotland's children.
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