Reformatory for Inebriate Women.
By December 1888 the MWCTA had lobbied for a change in the Habitual Drunkards Act 1879 and the
Manchester Guardian reported a proposal, endorsed by Sir
William Houldsworth, and submitted to the
Home Secretary for ‘fresh legislation and the ability of magistrates to commit inebriates to a reformatory and the cost be defrayed from the rates, subscriptions and payments by the inmates’. A penny pamphlet published in 1889 by the MWCTA and PCM entitled 'Civilisation and the Drink Traffic - A plea for the establishment of an Inebriate Home' invited the cooperation and donations of a benevolent public. It stated that, ‘If powers of justices were extended to allow the commitment of ‘habitual drunkards’ for longer periods, than an utterly futile month, and commit for six months instead of six [committals] for one month, this would give time to throw off the stupor of chronic drunkenness’. The Habitual Drunkards Act 1879 did allow authorities to establish a retreat for inebriates but payment by the inmate was required, thus excluding those working-class drunkards most at risk and with the least financial support. The MWCTA proposed state funding coupled with charitable donations and patient payments where possible. In October 1889 it was reported in the
Manchester Guardian that
Herbert Philips Esq., J.P. of Sutton Oaks Macclesfield had presided over a PCM meeting at the
YMCA on Peter Street and reported that £700 had been raised and a home at Ash Lodge, Halliwell Lane,
Cheetham was being negotiated. He suggested that what was needed was to commit habitual offender to such homes for a period of one to three years. At the AGM of the MWCTA in April 1890 it was reported that Herbert Philips Esq., J.P. had bought a house, namely ‘The Grove’ on Egerton Road,
Fallowfield and had leased it to the committee on nominal terms. It was within walking distance of the city but far enough away to reduce temptation. This retreat was opened in July 1890 and by February 1891 the MWCTA claimed it was the largest licensed retreat of its kind in England providing beds for 21 patients. The Grove was situated in a desirable middle-class suburb noted for its beautiful grounds and bright and healthful surroundings and availability of skilful medical help. In 1895 ‘The Grove’ reported 128 applicants with 24 admissions of whom 23 had left after a year. They claimed a rising success rate, of 4 ‘standing fast’ in 1891 to 9 persons by 1893 which they deemed :‘a wonder they do considering the temptations that surrounds them and the allurements of the liquor trade’. Inspected once a year by the State, they claimed to enforce, :‘simple methods of immediate abstinence from strong drink and the strict regularity of life with constant and cheerful employment of gentle firmness and unfailing sympathy coupled to a religious influence always present and often directly urged'. By 1919 The Grove had closed along with all such certified reformatories by 1921. Although suitable for reformable generally middle-class women the reformatories were ill-suited for the alcoholic or mentally ill patients often from the working-classes who, were regarded by some as having, ‘sabotaged or subverted the system’. Only a small number of inmates could be reformed for the costs involved and the homes were regarded as a distraction from the main aims of the temperance associations to introduce new and strengthen existing temperance legislation. The Grove was demolished in the 20th Century and a block of modern flats occupies the ground at 5 Egerton Road Fallowfield, Manchester. 'Fallowfield House’ listed in the trade directory as standing on the corner of 1 Egerton Road and 289 Wilmslow Road is now the Friendship Inn Public House. View of the Friendship Inn and Egerton Road from Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, Manchester. == Inebriates Act 1898 ==