Child Action Northwest

By RJlivesey

  • James Dixon is born

    James Dixon is born
    The founder of the modern organisation, James Dixon was born on this day,
  • Period: to

    The History of Child Action Northwest

  • Blackburn & District Orphanage opened

    Blackburn & District Orphanage opened
    James Dixon made a fund on the 14th December 1886 to open a Blackburn & District Orphanage by opening an account with his life savings, The date became known as Founder’s Day and is
    celebrated every year.

  • The opening of the Orphanage

    The opening of the Orphanage
    In spring of 1889, nine separate sites for the Orphanage were
    considered, but the plot at Wilpshire, Blackburn was
    chosen as it was only £80 per acre. In 1891 the new Orphanage was opened.

  • The first boy to live at orphanage

    The first boy to live at orphanage
    Adolphus Curran, the first lad to be admitted to the Orphanage in 1891. (The exact date given is a rough guide).

  • Extension

    Extension
    As the school was just for boys, an extension was built at this time to allow more room for girls to live at the Orphanage.

  • Foundation Stone

    Foundation Stone
    Master Leonard Crosswell King-Wilkinson laid the foundation
    stone for the Girls’ building on 20th August 1904. His family had been generous workers
    for the Orphanage. Another stone was laid by James Dixon. The two stones, which bear the initials of the layers can be seen at the entrance of The Homestead at Wilpshire to this day.

  • To the trenches

    To the trenches
    Many young men from the Orphanage had to be sent to the trenches to fight in the First World War.

  • Orphanage Cup

    Orphanage Cup
    This year, Blackburn Orphage were the first winners of the Amateur football competition, the Orphanage Cup. The competition still runs to this day.

  • James Dixon Dies

    James Dixon Dies
    On this date, James Dixon died at the age of 36.

  • World War II

    World War II
    Seven of the 'old boys' made sacrifices at the start of World War II. The Second World War
    began, including Frank Raynor who was serving on H.M.S.Hood when it was sunk by the Bismark on 24th May 1941.

  • Change of Name

    Change of Name
    The name was changed from Blackburn & District Children’s Home to Blackburn Childcare Society on this date.

  • Child Action Northwest is born

    Child Action Northwest is born
    Change of name to Child Action Northwest in 2004 to reflect a wider geographic commitment to the Northwest.