Donation still helps children in need

November 11, 2003

HOSPITAL LANE
(Hall Road to City Road)

A portrait of Thomas Anguish, with a ring detail.

THE old man picked his way through the darkened streets of Norwich with a heavy heart — huddled in the damp doorways and archways were homeless and starving children.

Young boys and girls with nowhere to go. No future. Struggling to survive from one day to the next.

Few of them lived for long on the mean city streets in the 17th century.

But Thomas Anguish was a man with a vision and, hundreds of years later, the children of Norwich still have a lot to thank him for.

Although he was fairly well off — he had married his boss’s daughter and taken over the flourishing grocery business — most of his money was tied up in the business.

He became a freeman of Norwich in 1573 and prospered. He lived with his family in Tombland and took an active role in city life, serving as sheriff, mayor and Speaker of the Council.

When he was elected mayor in 1611 tragedy struck.

There was a big pageant and firework display outside his house. Some of the fireworks exploded accidentally and 33 people were crushed to death as they tried to escape. From then on fireworks were banned on feast and guild days.

Thomas died in 1617. But before his death he made handsome provision for his family and then turned his attention to helping the poor boys and girls of the city.

He gave the Corporation property in Fishergate to be used as a hospital “for the keeping and bringing up and teaching of very poor children”.

The Children’s Hospital, which opened in 1621.

Anguish took great care over the phrasing of the gift.

His sons proved worthy stewards and with help from others, the Children’s Hospital was opened in 1621. Boys moved in first. A charter was granted in 1628 by Charles I who demanded that it be called the Children’s Hospital in the City of Norwich of the Foundation of King Charles.

Norwich men had their own ideas — and remained loyal to the name of Anguish.

Girls were admitted some years later. In 1864 a new house was opened for girls in Lakenham. The Girl’s Hospital . . . and that’s how the name of this little road linking Hall Road and City Road came about.

The hospital closed in 1941 and is now Lakenham First School.

• THE endowment made by Thomas Anguish following his death in 1617 was probably worth about £5,000. Today, the Anguish Education Foundation, run by the Norwich Consolidation Charities, is valued at more than £8.5million.
  
  
• The charity makes educational grants to applicants, aged 24 and under, who live in Norwich and Costessey, Hellesdon, Old Catton, Sprowston, Thorpe St Andrew or Corpusty.
  
  
• All kinds of different grants are available and during the current year the budget for grants is about £310,000.
  
  
• They can help with school trips, university grants, special needs, music/dance, overseas events, swimming/sports, school uniform and further education.
  
  
• Other money is used to make grants to other charities within the area and the budget for 2003/4 is £100,000.
  
  
• Anyone wishing to contact the Norwich Consolidation Charities should call (01603) 621023 or e-mail david.walker@nch-charities.co.uk.
  You can also write to 10 Golden Dog Lane, Norwich NR3 1BP — near Colegate car park, off Magdalen Street.

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