Avalon, Chislehurst, Kent
On 6th January, 1949, the Avalon Approved School was formally approved for operation in premises at Summer Hill, Chislehurst. The establishment, run by by the Salvation Army, had previously been located at Lower Clapton Road in north-east London.
Avalon could accommodate up to 27 Senior Girls, aged between their 15th and 17th birthdays at their date of admission.
In 1973, the School became a Community Home with Education (CHE) in conjunction with Bromley London Borough Council. Avalon was used as a secure unit for persistent absconders and its facilities included a padded cell.
In more recent times, the property has been used as a Salvation Army training centre.
Records
Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.
- The Salvation Army International Heritage Centre, William Booth College, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8BQ. Email heritage@salvationarmy.org.uk. Has a research service, with initial enquiries answered free, more detailed follow-up research charged at £20 per hour. There is also an online catalogue of the Centre's holdings.
Bibliography
- Booth, William In Darkest England, and the Way Out (1890, London: International Headquarters of the Salvation Army)
- Sandall, Robert The History of the Salvation Army (1955, London: Nelson)
Links
Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.
