A PLEA for more cash donations from the public to help run Worcester's main orphanage were being made at this time 100 years ago.

The Journal of 1903 reported: "Colonel Long MP, as chairman of the annual meeting of the Royal Albert Orphan Asylum, praised private charity as distinguished from administration by public bodies and payment from the rates.

Subscriptions

"The institution at Henwick contains 89 boys and girls who are kept, educated and trained for industry. The work is widely recognised as an excellent one but, alas, subscriptions have decreased, and if the receipts during the past year had not included the amount of three years' income tax returned, the balance would have been on the wrong side.

"There is a good amount of money received from generous supporters but the committee do not wish to draw upon it for maintenance.

"They wish to keep it for a time when capital outlay on buildings may be urgently required. Therefore, they hope the subscriptions will increase.

"The charity is well administered. The committee of management is devoted to its responsibilities, and the Master and Matron, Mr and Mrs Richens, have won great regard for their most faithful service."