MIDDLESEX MEMORIAL TO KING EDWARD VII TRUST

In 1910, approximately £4,500 had been collected by public subscription to provide a memorial in the county of Middlesex to King Edward VII. A general committee of subscribers resolved that a bust of the late King should be erected in a suitable place (now in entrance hall of Middlesex Guildhall), and that the remaining funds should be used to provide seaside or country holidays for needy Middlesex children. Trustees were appointed and an Administrative Committee formed to include not only the trustees but one representative from each of the parliamentary divisions in the county.

Initially, groups of children were placed in hostels or camps on the South coast - the children having been nominated by Middlesex local education authorities. In 1914 the Trust built its own hostel at Herne Bay. This eventually proved inadequate and was thus closed and sold in 1929. The Trust then purchased in 1930 more extensive premises known as Collington Manor, in Bexhill-on-Sea.

Under a board of Education scheme, Collington Manor was run as a Special School of Recovery for convalescent children, during the winter months. During the summer it continued to receive groups of children for holidays.

From 1946 the home was run as a full-time Special School for "delicate boys" aged 5-9 years, with only sporadic use as a summer holiday home.

The Charity Commissioners drew up a scheme in 1958 which enabled Collington Manor to be run as a convalescent and holiday home for children and widened its catchment area to include not only Middlesex but several adjoining counties.

After the reorganisation of local government in London in 1965, changes were necessary in the structure of the Administrative Committee, which resulted in the members including representatives from the new London Boroughs that had previously formed part of the administrative county of Middlesex.

Collington Manor was sold in 1966. From then on the trust made money available to London Boroughs and other bodies to provide, or assist n providing, holidays for needy children.