walthew house
John Walthew, who became Mayor of Stockport in the early 1870s, and his wife
invited the town’s blind people to tea. The Walthews of Wood Hall, Reddish, had
first hand experience of the disability, as their daughter Louisa was blind and
deaf. After this first meeting, regular weekly gatherings were arranged, at
which volunteers read to and generally helped the blind people. In January 1867,
the town’s blind, deaf and residents without speech were invited to a meeting at
Stockport Sunday School to draw up detailed plans for support. The meeting was
chaired by James Sidebottom JP, appointed to carry out the project. To help
finance the work, Mr Sidebottom pledged a donation of £50 per year. There were a
number of other subscriptions including £10 per year from Mr Ephraim Hallam. The
meeting agreed the main aim was to give people with sensory loss the chance of
an education and work experience. The committee set up workshops where clients
made goods and a shop was opened on Wellington Road South, Stockport, where they
were sold. A schoolroom was also established.
