Talbot House Blog

Today’s date is 12/11/2018 so this blog is very much in touch with the precious weekend just gone where the world remembered  World War One, while I was pondering over the weekend on connections also shared by so many and I came across a connection of our very own.

In the little village of Poperinge, Belgium there is a hotel for visiting tourists and its name is Talbot House if you ever visit this B&B you may see a faded sign saying 1915 and this may not mean so much to you yet this secret place is a time capsule offering an insight into the hopes and fears of the soldiers of the great war. It was originally set up in 1915 as a rest centre for allied soldiers of WW1. Talbot House was the only place on  the entire front where men as well as officers could meet socially, and so half a million passes through its doors from 1914/18. Just like we here at our Talbot House  to the many seeking support it was a kind of  home from home offering again just like us a cup of tea and people to share with. So many men who wandered in there, swapped drenched and weary found love and caring. In the loft at Talbot House  a Chapel created and this was thanks to Rev Samuel Bickersteth a Yorkshire man who moved to Australia but returned to sign up in the war. Samuel was there to confirm the men and hear their prayers on the nights before they were to fight again,  and as we know not many came back.

Well folks that’s our “connection” so privileged to share the name Talbot House here in Manchester with the amazing Talbot House  of WW1. Until the next time.

Regards Bernie  x