Description:Home 8 was initially a home only for girls and, as such was on the left side of the drive. It was one of the detached homes.
By 1948, Home 8 was mixed with accommodation for 18 boys and girls. In 1949 it was given the name Glenedyth.
In the 1950s, Glenedyth, along with the boys’ home of Birkdale opposite, was sponsored by the G6 Gas Turbine Department of Joseph Lucas Ltd. Several of the homes in Erdington, and in Shenley, had this type of arrangement with companies in which the children would be befriended by ‘aunts’ and ‘uncles’, given gifts at Christmas and taken on outings. The Gas Turbine Department took the children of Glenedyth and Birkdale to pantomimes, bought them a scooter and held birthday parties for them.
By 1979, the number of beds had been reduced to 12 and both boys and girls were living there.
In 1982, when the city’s residential childcare was divided into districts, Glenedyth was in the West District. Other children’s homes on The Gardens such as Birkdale and The Haven were serving the North/East District.
The home closed between 1982 and 1984.
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Image: A publicity shot of the playroom at Glenedyth c1950.
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Source: This history was compiled by the Birmingham Children's Homes Project, an initiative to explore Birmingham City Council-run children’s homes between 1949 and 1990.