Ghostly goings on!!

Asylum For Teaching Young Females Household Work

“There can be no more eloquent expression of the attitudes of the wealthy to poor girls in the early nineteenth century than the sign on Gays House in Margaret’s Hill, Bath. The Asylum for the Maintenance and Instruction of Young Females in Household Work was founded in 1819. It was ‘intended for the reception of such destitute female children who are of an age to leave school but not yet old enough for household service.’ Since children went into service at the age of twelve, this is a chilling indictment of the times.

Although attracting titled patrons, and being the subject of charity balls and concerts, by 1827 it was in trouble financially. There had been typhus, and paid nurses had been required. After just over twelve years, in 1832, it was forced to close. In that time, 61 girls were placed in service, eight discharged for ill-health, three expelled, five died, and seventeen were left in the asylum. The children are long gone – but the sign reminds us of the not so good old days.” Kirsten T Elliott


This ghost sign can be found on one of the Georgian houses that overlook the centre of Bath, and that’s where I was today, for the first of my four hospital appointments in June! Oh I do know how to live the high life!!