Mother-of-Pearl Strangeways & Bethesda Trowel, 1884

This large and good quality silver presentation trowel has the unusual feature of having been used twice by the same lady to lay a foundation stone. It has a nicely carved mother of pearl handle and other than a very minor flaw, it is in excellent condition. The front of the trowel is engraved:

"To Mrs Leonard K Shain on laying the corner stone of Boys Reform Extension Strangeways Manchester, January 8th 1888"

 The reverse side is engraved:

"This Trowel was again used by Mrs Leonard K Shain on the occasion of laying the memorial stone of the new wing of the Bethesda Home for crippled children April 23rd 1904".

The 'Bethesda Home for Crippled and Incurable Children' as it was first known, was located at 20 George Street, Cheetham Hill, Manchester., It opened in 1890 to care for the destitute children in the city, who were also disabled in some form, and allowed them to recuperate and live in clean pleasant surroundings, benefiting from professional care for as long as they needed it.