Nearly twenty years have passed since the opening of "The Haven." It is time its story was told and no one is in a better position to know the hopes and fears, the joys and sorrows, the emergencies and near miracles that have characterised the venture than Sister Ruby Burt, who with the Matron, Miss A. K. S. Finney, has been there from the beginning.

"The Haven" is a piece of social and evangelistic service of which Baptists may well be proud, sad as it is that such a Home is so greatly needed. But it cannot be maintained without a constant renewal of interest and prayer. These pages will, I am sure, lead many in our churches to share in this and the other activities of the Women's Department of the Baptist Union.

ERNEST A. PAYNE
Baptist Church House,
4, Southampton Row,
London, W.C.1.

The Haven Story
I

The Baptist Women's League Home for Unmarried Mothers was officially opened by the late Mrs. David Salmon on Tuesday, September 4th, 1945, a pouring wet afternoon.

This was the beginning of a very great venture, but behind this event lay many months of thought, prayer and toil of many devoted women who were thinking of other women less fortunate than themselves.

During the middle years of the last war, some of our Baptist women were serving on Committees to help others in difficulty, especially families hit by the separation and turmoil of war. These women had begun to see a great need for more provision for girls and women who had been caught up in the stress of life, and began to ask if there was nothing that our own denomination could do to help these women back to self respect and to becoming worthwhile members of the community, as well as making a provision for the often times unwanted or unprovided for little ones.

The problem was next brought to the attention of the Younger Women's Commission. This Commission had been set up by the late Mrs. Ernest Brown, during her two year term as President of the Baptist Women's League, in those very difficult dark days of the war, to encourage the younger women of our Churches to feel that they were more in the work of the League. Mrs. Douglas Stewart gave a very stirring address early in 1943 on the great need for such a home to be opened, as she saw it in her war work. The women were much impressed and touched and felt it was a work which could be very worthwhile in every way. The whole matter was thoroughly discussed by the Younger Women's Commission and then referred to the Baptist Women's League General Committee. They in their turn talked the matter over and looked at it from every angle and decided that something must be done about it by our own denomination and people.

The next step was to bring the project to the notice of the Baptist Union Council, who after much discussion referred it back again to the Women's Committee. This went on for some time, the matter being constantly referred back for further discussion and investigation. All the time the idea was growing in the hearts and minds of men and women, who were praying earnestly that only the right thing should be done and that God would guide in every detail of the matter.

There was some hesitation and reluctance to overcome, but once the idea had taken hold, many folk began to feel that they could not rest until it became a reality.

Time went on. Many properties were inspected for suitability for such a work. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Clark offered some property for the venture, but it was found not to be legally possible for it to be used in such a way. Therefore the property was sold and the money put to a fund which had begun to grow for this purpose. At the same time there was a feeling in the Baptist Union Council that not enough was known about what an undertaking of this kind would entail. Miss Lois Chapple who had been appointed to help Miss Doris Rose, (now Mrs. T. G. Dunning), with the women's work in Church House, and had joined the staff at the Baptist Union Assembly, 1944, began to collect data from the Matrons and Committees of Homes and Authorities who were already in this field of service. Also at the Assembly of 1944, the late Mrs. David Salmon became the President of the Baptist Women's League, and she spent her year of office going around the churches, telling the women of our denomination of the great need for this work. Mrs. Salmon enlisted their sympathy, and the money began to come in.

The Baptist Union Council held in November 1944 listened with great interest to all the late Dr. Aubrey and Miss Chapple had to tell them of the result of the investigations that had been made and finally, after a good deal of discussion, all hesitation was overcome and the General Purposes and Finance Executive in January 1945 gave permission to go forward with the idea of the opening by the Baptist Women's League of a Home for Unmarried Mothers.

The Home Sub-Committee, which was a joint Committee, comprised of members of the Finance Sub-Committee, and representatives of the Women's Department Committee, began to make the necessary preliminary arrangements. Many details were discussed, many difficulties overcome. Permission had to be obtained to open a Home of this kind, and consultations with the Ministry of Health were numerous, but finally all was more or less sorted out, but no property that had been inspected up till this time had proved to be suitable. It seemed that all this effort had been wasted and that nothing would every come of it. Then an answer was received to an advertisement which had been put into The Times and hope was revived. After a quick preliminary inspection, this property, which was in the north east corner of Hampshire, with a Surrey postal address, seemed to answer the need, and a small number of the Committee went to see it and to advise upon it. After much consideration, prayer and discussion, approval to buy the house in Yateley was given in February 1945. The property was bought by the Baptist Union and rented to the Baptist Women's League for the express purpose of being opened as a Home for Mothers and Babies.

[Photograph: girl on left, older boy on right]

At about the same time, two people were beginning to feel that the time had come for them to seek a new sphere of service, and if possible, one with a more missionary motive behind it. They were very much in prayer that God would put His hand of guidance upon what was to be their next move. These two women, who were qualified nurses and midwives and had both been members of the Church of England, one with a saintly Church of England Minister as a father, had been baptized and had joined the Church at West Ham Central Mission. In conversation with the late Mrs. Robert Rowntree Clifford they became interested in this new project, and began to feel that here was God's answer to their prayers. First one, then the other, was interviewed at Baptist Church House by a selected number of the Committee, with a view to becoming Matron and Sister of the new Home.

The property had now been bought. It was a large country house, the grounds of which had been divided and three acres were left with the house. Tenders were now called for to deal with the alterations and decorations which were needed to adapt the house (which had been an R.A.F. Officers' Convalescent Home during part of the war) to its new use. The work was started and the applications for permits to buy the necessary equipment had to be dealt with. A furnishing sub-committee was set up and individual churches were given the opportunity of being responsible for the supplying of various needs. Weeks went by, and each obstacle which at the time looked tremendous, was gradually overcome or removed, as it was known it would be, because all concerned felt the guiding hand of God upon all that was being done, and were sure that the opening of this Home was in line with His will.

The Committee held on May 4th, 1945, decided that the house should be called "The Haven", and this has proved to be very true in every sense in the experience of many young women through the years.

All equipment, furniture etc. was ordered to be delivered to the house before July 10th, 1945, but it was a time of labour problems, dockets and permits and many frustrations! The mattresses and pillows and a few odd things were all that had come to hand by that date, the other things trickled in slowly, and the chests of drawers, the last arrivals, came in the first week of December, when hope had just about been given up of their ever coming at all! It was always a great day when the British Railways van turned up at the front door, because it usually meant something else had arrived at last!

Matron and Sister took up residence on July 10th, 1945, and "camped" in the house, working to get order out of chaos. They scrubbed floors and did anything else that was needed, helped occasionally by the local Strict Baptist Minister Rev. Cyril Stockbridge and his wife. He also helped to get the garden in order and supervised that work for about a year, until the family left the district. The same Minister went all over the house removing nails from the floors in preparation for the lino to be laid. By early August the workmen had just about finished inside the house, and some rooms were habitable, although as yet the lino had not arrived. This came and was laid immediately after "V.J. Day," August 15th 1945. The house felt less like a barracks at last!

Curtains had to be made, there were no coupons or dockets to spare for this, so all sorts of things were used, including a very large linen sheet which was dyed and cut up. The hand machine certainly worked overtime for a while.

On August 2nd the first girl was admitted and before the week was out there were two others to join her. The days were spent in getting the house to rights and planning the routine; fortunately the weather was kind and a woman had been found from the village to come and help.

The first baby was born in the Home on August 27th, a dear little boy, who could certainly make himself heard, especially at 2 a.m. in the morning! By now there was one nursing assistant to help in the work and two more girls had been admitted to the Home.

Throughout all this time, the Committee members were very helpful in every way. A few of them, Mrs. Salmon (the first Chairman), Mrs. Tanner and Miss Chapple visited the Home frequently, doing all that they could to help, and the work was constantly in their thoughts and prayers.

There were however, one or two drawbacks in being so far out in the country. One was and still is, the staffing difficulty, but this has been graciously over-ruled in the goodness of God through the years. Another was the lack of a Baptist Church near by, but the staff and girls have always been very warmly received at the little Strict Baptist Church in the village, and the co-operation of all the Baptist Ministers in the area has always been a matter for which thanks can be given to God. The third thing was there was no main drainage in the area and at one time this seemed to be an insurmountable barrier to such a large household using so much water, but in the end even this problem was solved, until finally, in 1962, main drainage was made available in the area, and the Home was connected up.

On the other hand, there were also many advantages. The beauty of the countryside was new to so many who now came within these walls and the quietness was healing to many a harrassed and weary soul. Of course the greatest advantage of all was that the girls could now relax in very healthy surroundings without being afraid of being seen by anyone who might recognise them. They could therefore be natural and be themselves, a thing which had been denied many of them for several months past.

The day of the official opening of the Home dawned, Tuesday, September 4th, 1945. Another baby boy had been born in the early hours of that morning, making two babies for the visitors to see when they went round the house in the afternoon, and there were now five girls in the Home. By 2 p.m. the visitors had begun to arrive and unfortunately so had the rain! The late Mrs. David Salmon declared the Home open, when she cut the ribbon of the balcony door on the south side of the house in the presence of the late Dr. M. E. Aubrey, many members of the Baptist Union Council and Baptist Women's League Committee, as well as 300 to 400 others who were there to ask God's blessing upon such a venture. The late Mrs. Ernest Brown was in the entrance hall most of the afternoon, receiving gifts for the house and store cupboard, and a fine collection of goods was gathered; in spite of rationing everyone was very generous. After the opening ceremony had been performed, visitors had their opportunity of seeing the inside of the house and were much impressed. Tea was served in a marquee upon the lawn, but the rain did not stop until after the last guest had left at about 5.30 p.m. only then did the sun decide to shine! The job of clearing up was then tackled, the store cupboards filled and life settled down into a normal routine.

II

Gradually the Home became known and Moral Welfare Workers (now called Church Social Workers), as well as Ministers and Deaconesses from all areas began to apply for admission on behalf of girls and women in need. Applications also came in from the Forces Help Society for girls in the three services, and this has continued until recent years. By now there was a second nursing assistant on the staff and for a time there was a cook and a garden girl, former residents, who had decided that they must keep their babies and had nowhere to go. Now a system began to take shape, in that it was felt to be for the best if the girls were admitted 8 weeks before delivery. By this time a good many of the girls were becoming anxious to get away from their usual surroundings early admission gave them plenty of time to get to know the staff, to relax and be well prepared in body and mind for the coming event. It was also agreed to keep mother and child together for 6 weeks after birth, so that the mother had time to adjust herself to the future, to know what was the right thing to do, and to make plans accordingly. All adoptions at this time were done through The Mission of Hope, Croydon; The Homeless Children's Aid and Adoption Society, or through Hampshire, County Council, with Matron acting as the "third Party".

The work continued to grow, a third nursing assistant was needed and was appointed. Life settled into a plan which naturally centred around the babies and their needs. Family prayers have been held every day at the end of breakfast since the Home was started. It is a time when the needs of the activities of the day are committed to God, also each baby and girl leaving the Home is remembered before Him, as well as those coming in, and any other special problem or event. It is particularly a time of drawing together and of committing one another into God's keeping.

The girls who are able and the staff off-duty have always been made very welcome in the Strict Baptist Church on Sunday morning; occasionally some of the mothers express a desire to go to the Parish Church. It is sometimes difficult to keep some of them at home when it is felt that they are really not fit to be going out!

Christmas has always been a very special occasion in the Home, when every effort is made to show the girls what a happy time can be had, celebrating the birth of the Babe of Bethlehem, without the excesses which had been the cause of the downfall of many of them.

After a few years, the numbers admitted to the Home began to grow, capacity was soon reached and it was seldom that there were less than 18 young women in residence at a time. Often they were very young, and through the years it has been noted how this trend has become more obvious; quite frequently more than half the girls are under 17 years of age. The work in the office, concerned with admissions etc., grew until it was found necessary to employ a part-time secretary to cope with the increase. Never does a former resident write but she receives an answer, and at Christmas time so many letters and cards are received that it is nearly the end of February before they have been all answered. What wonderful things these letters and cards tell, of blessings received, conversion, joining a Church, marriage followed by the coming of little ones, or news of our babies now growing up, with their mothers or in the homes of adopting parents. Most years there is still a message of some kind from the first girl ever admitted.

[Photograph: 2 children at the wheel of a pedal car]
[Photograph: small baby sitting on settee]

Time began to show that as the work increased, it was necessary to do something more definite about the Adoption side of the work, and again after much thought, prayer and consultation, the "Baptist Union Adoption Society" was formed and a worker was appointed. A small Case Committee came into being in August 1948. This has always been a very vital part of the work and has proved its value through the years in placing little ones into the homes of truly Christian parents who are otherwise denied this great blessing in their own lives. It has been the means of provision for many babies who would not have been able to be cared for in security without plans being made.

About this time also the need of a Chapel was felt and the Baptist women of Wales collected money to convert three sheds for this purpose (one of which was a brick one and opened into the courtyard). The women of Wales also furnished this place very tastefully and it was dedicated and opened on 28th September, 1949, by Mrs. Christy Davies in the presence of a number of people, amongst whom were the women who had made this possible. From now on the Chapel was always open for anyone who wished to go in to be alone or to be quiet. Up till this time, Bible class had been held in the front hall of the house, every Sunday afternoon, but now the Chapel came into its own. Bible class is conducted by Matron, unless there happens to be a visiting Minister, Missionary, or anyone else who will give the girls a message. The Chapel has been the scene of much blessing from the day of its opening, and the place where many souls have been born again. A communion service is held in the Chapel at least four times a year and the local Vicar will always come and give communion to any Church of England girl there if she so wishes. The girls are also encouraged to hold their own little fellowship meetings in the Chapel once a week or perhaps once a fortnight, and many have learned to pray aloud in that little sanctuary, who have never felt the necessity for such a thing before. One drawback is that in these days, there are very few who learn to play the piano or organ and although there is in the Chapel a very nice little organ, sometimes the hymns have to be sung unaccompanied. Usually however, someone has the gift which is put to good use.

In the early days, a Garden Party was held at The Haven every other year and in the alternate years parties of women from the churches came to visit during the summer months. Gradually it became evident that these small parties were of more value and that by this means the women of our denomination came to learn more about The Haven, and were therefore more able to pray intelligently for the work which they were supporting in the Master's Name. These small parties have continued through the years and are fairly regular from May to September every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.

III

Now the question of expansion was beginning to be raised, because so many had to be turned away for lack of room, even although only first pregnancies were admitted and not married women. The matter came under discussion and in 1950 a scheme was finally submitted to the Baptist Union General Purposes and Finance Executive, which, after much deliberation, agreed upon a reduced plan early in 1951 and it was put out to tender. By the end of the summer the foundations were laid in the grounds, a good distance away from the house itself and October saw the walls built and the rafters on, but there the work ceased for some months. Early in 1952 things began to move again and it was soon time to think of furnishings etc. and to prepare for the adjustment which must inevitably take place now that the whole work was not to be under one roof. In memory of his wife, a member of the Baptist Women's League for some years, Mr. Russell R. Smith gave a large sum of money for the furnishing and equipping of the new house, which was to be used for better and more adequate accommodation of the staff. On May 16th 1952, a blazing hot summer's day, in the presence of about 900 people, including Dr. Ernest Payne and many others, the staff house was opened by Mrs. H. H. Pewtress, who that year was President of the Baptist Women's League. Tea was served in a large marquee on the lawn and friends were able to see over both houses and learn something more of the work. The number of girls who could now be cared for at a time was 23; as no one can ever predict just when babies will come, the number is sometimes lower, but more often a little above the stated number.

Increased staff was also very much needed by now, as there had always to be one nurse on night duty and with holidays and off duty times there was very little overlapping. From now on it was felt that a third midwife was essential, four nursing assistants and a cook to help with the work. Naturally it is desirable for all members of the staff to be convinced Christians, as the opportunity for evangelization is so very great.

The next big event was the laying-out of the gardens around the staff house with money given by the National Free Church Women's Council, in memory of Mrs. Gwendoline Tanner. Mrs. Tanner was a former President of that Council and one of the original Committee members of The Haven who had done so much to help the work in its earliest days. Mrs. Tanner died on 4th July 1952 after a very distressing illness.

The gardens which had been just' a rough field, were finally ready and on 5th June, 1953, a seat bearing an inscription in memory of the late Mrs. Tanner was unveiled by the late Mrs. Alexander Dow of the National Free Church Women's Council. it was a lovely day and many of Mrs. Tanner's family were present, including her husband, son and daughters.

The next summer the members of the Baptist Union General Purposes and Finance Executive met at The Haven, to the great pleasure of all. It was a very happy day, and an occasion for some members who had never been able to have a close view of the work, to see at first hand something of a project concerning which much of their time and planning had been taken up for some years.

As the work increased there were not many moments to spare. Much happened, many heartaches occurred, but many decisions were made and souls were born again - the blessing for which all had been planned.

The Case Committee of the Baptist Union Adoption Society, and the Haven House Committee, have met regularly throughout the years once a month, usually at The Haven, but three times a year at the Baptist Church House in London.

The Case Committee reports back to the Adoption Society Committee and the House Committee to the Haven Committee. From the latter, a report goes to the General Committee of the Women's Department of the Baptist Union and thence to the Baptist Union Council. Members of the Committees have been "towers of strength" to the work throughout the years, first under the leadership of the late Mrs. David Salmon, with the very able help of Miss Lois Chapple, and later under Mrs. Claude Barker with Miss Dorothy Finch as Secretary. They have come, some from long distances and occasionally in very inclement weather and against many odds, to be present and give what help they could in any way. Committee day has always been a very happy day if rather a busy one for some of the staff, who look upon the Committee members as personal friends.

IV

At the time of the Baptist Women's League Jubilee celebrations in 1958, it was felt necessary to enlarge the staff accommodation to enable Matron to have a self-contained flat, and to provide more space for some of the other staff, as well as a guest room for any member of Committee, Welfare Worker, or other interested friend. It was therefore decided to extend the present Staff House by another wing, thus making accommodation in the main building for two more girls, bringing the total to 25 girls. This was finally done with some of the money allocated from the Baptist Women's League Jubilee Fund and a further gift from Mr. Russell R. Smith for furnishing. It was opened by the late Mrs. David Salmon on September 16th, 1959. The occasion was also marked by the presentation of a marquesite brooch to Mrs. Salmon in appreciation of her 14 years as Chairman of the Committees, from which position she had just retired. Matron had a complete flat which was quite separate, Sister had a large bed- sitting room, and the junior midwife a bedsitting room in the Staff House, thus vacating a room in the large house for the two extra beds referred to above.

The rough driveway and courtyard had been improved a year or two before. Repairs and decorations had been dealt with as required and the place generally kept in very good order, under the supervision of the Surveyor to the Baptist Union, Mr. John Wilmshurst, who also supervised the building of the Staff House extension. There was now a full time gardener, who has proved a great asset to the work, taking a great burden off the Staff, and supplying quite a lot of the vegetables needed.

One other happy occasion was in 1956 during Sir Herbert Janes' year of office as President of the Baptist Union. A party of about 70 guests, most of whom had not been able to visit The Haven before, gathered there to learn more of the work and to have happy fellowship. It was also at this gathering that Miss Gladys Kaye was presented with a gold watch to mark her retirement after seven years as Adoption Visitor. Sir Herbert Janes very graciously presented The Haven with a projector for use in the work and this has been used extensively ever since and been a great blessing in many ways.

The last major improvement has been the change over to an oil-fired boiler, taking the place of two large coke and anthracite boilers, which had to be stoked and cleaned by the staff when the gardener was off duty - no small job for some who had never even seen such a big boiler before, let alone tried to maintain one! The oil fired boiler was installed in 1961, during good weather, which was a great help, as there was no hot water in the taps for a fortnight. The boiler was not 100% successful at first, various adaptations having been needed, but all hope and pray that it will now be satisfactory and that the problems are over.

[Photograph: Child with negroid features]

The gardens are beautiful, with many lovely trees, including some unusual ones. How eagerly the snowdrops are watched for as a sign that winter is nearly over! The rhododendrons are always much admired at the end of May and during the month of June. The nuts are carefully collected and sorted so that if possible some may be saved for Christmas. There is room for the older babies to be put out in their perambulators during the day and still room for the girls and staff to enjoy the sunshine on the spacious lawns. The pond is always a source of entertainment, especially to visitors, but at the end of the very cold winter of 1963 it was found to be frozen solid and all the fish were dead, therefore it has had to be re-stocked. The sundial on the lower lawn is not an accurate time-piece unfortunately, but it adds to the attractive appearance of the garden. The fruit that is gathered from the garden is always very welcome for immediate use, as well as for preserving for later months.

The house has lent itself very well to the needs of the work, very little structural alteration had to be made, and the homely atmosphere of it all has helped many a girl or young woman to overcome her fears of the unknown.

Matron's Office is conveniently situated by the front door to allow for the privacy of those who come for interview or for any other reason. Here each girl is seen upon admission, all aspects of her particular problem are discussed, assurance given and the promise that the utmost will be done to promote her welfare. Here also many girls confess their need of a Saviour. When a crisis arises, it is often because they have come to a place where "two ways meet" and many have been led to a decision and encouraged by the copy of Holman Hunt's picture "The Light of the World", which hangs above the fireplace. Here also each baby's future is discussed, the pros and cons of the case put to the mother and encouragement given when she has decided what is right for her little one. Here, too, adopting parents see their proposed son or daughter for the first time, after the Adoption Committee, guided by Matron and the Adoption Officer, has decided into which home a particular child shall be placed. In this room also when the great day for the couple comes, the baby is handed over. Sometimes a former "Haven" baby, now two or three years old, comes with the parents to collect No. 2 in the family. What excitement there is and what prayer has preceded all this, for upon the Committee's decision hangs the whole happiness of the child's future! Church Social Workers, Children's Officers, worried parents and all sorts of folk have, at some time or other, found help or encouragement in this room, as well as its being the centre for all the necessary clerical work.

Next to the office is the girls' sitting room, with three lovely big bay windows. Here they have easy chairs, a piano, a radio set, a hair dryer and plenty of room to do any dressmaking, etc., that they may wish to do.

In the back hall stands a record player and a cupboard which holds all the equipment for the clay modelling class held each week during term time. This class seems to be very popular with most of the girls and some of the results are excellent. There is also a large cupboard of books and games, also two shelves of books on loan from the County Library.

The panelled dining room is rather a dark room, yet a beautiful one too. Here the family have meals all together, except for tea, which the girls have in their own sitting room. On the mantlepiece are the Bibles given by the "Gideon Society", which are used for family prayers, as mentioned above. The "Gideons" have also through the years given a continuous supply of new Testaments for any girls to have if they so desire.

Next door to the dining room is the nursery for the babies over three weeks old, and it is surprising how little noise comes from that room, especially as no effort is made to be extra quiet. (Of course they are out in the garden most of the day.)

The kitchen is a hive of industry all the morning and part of the evening, a fair sized "Esse" Stove doing noble service to feed the hungry family, with Cook in kindly control of all who come within her orbit.

Upstairs are very pleasant bedrooms, which are kept clean by the girls as part of their routine work. The ward is large and airy and has a pleasing outlook over the garden and lily pond, but the mothers are not there many days before they are up and about again. The babies are in the ward during the day but at night are in the small nursery for babies under three weeks old, so that the mothers can have the benefit of a good night's rest.

The labour ward is the place of much happiness after a time of stress and uncertainty, and - occasionally the scene of sadness when a little one fails to breathe. Much prayer has been said in this room, especially when facing difficulty, and many babies are "Answer to Prayer" babies, when there had seemed to be very little hope. Here prayer is offered up in thanksgiving when all is done and it is good to see how so many of the girls appreciate this. It is the greatest opportunity of getting near to them and implanting the seed of the love of God in their hearts.

During the years only one girl has passed from this life whilst in the Home and she was ready. It was not an obstetrical death but a neurological condition caused by the pregnancy and was very unexpected.

The expert medical care which has been given to the girls through the years has helped considerably to achieve this record. Dr. John Price, M.R.C.O.G., is, and has been a great friend of the work since early 1953, as was the late Dr. W. R. Russell before him. They have both taken a keen interest in the welfare of the girls and staff spiritually, medically and socially, as well as serving on the Adoption Case Committee as medical adviser. Dr. John Price is always very considerate and helpful - never failing to come quickly when called, bringing with him an atmosphere of calm reassurance. How good God has been, and how He has blessed the work!

[Photograph: girl in dress]

Visitors are many and frequent; most girls have their parents and friends to see them regularly. Their Social Workers or, in some cases, their Ministers call, and many an old girl comes back to spend some time in the Home visiting the staff. Sometimes the girls bring their husbands to be introduced and maybe children, who have been born since marriage, to be shown off; or it may be adopting parents who have called so that their growing family may be admired! Whoever comes it is a joy to receive them.

Seventeen years from the day of opening on Tuesday September 4th, 1962, there was again a little function at The Haven. This time it was to dedicate the communion stand and silver salver, also two lovely pictures in memory of the late Mrs. Rose L. Salmon, who had loved the work so much and served it to her utmost for so many years and had passed into the Presence of her Lord on November 5th, 1961.

A number of specially invited guests, including Mr. David Salmon and family, gathered in the Chapel where they were welcomed by Mrs. Claude Barker, the Chairman of The Haven Committee. Dr. Ernest Payne then led the worship, paying tribute to Mrs. Salmon and dedicating the oak stand and salver, upon which was a suitable inscription. After the service, everyone returned to the house, where in the presence of the girls, Mr. Salmon unveiled a picture in their sitting room, of Tower Bridge in a glorious golden sunset, and one in the back hall of an island harbour on a cloudy evening. The latter picture is placed in a strategic position and can be seen and appreciated from many angles.

V

This, then, is the story of The Haven, briefly told. One has to live in it really to know it all and to realize how richly God has blessed the work all through the years. Will you pray that He will continue to guide, bless and direct all that is connected with it, and that although it was sin, shame and heartache that brought them there, souls may be born again because they have come within its walls?

Since the first edition of 'The Haven Story' was published, Miss A. K. S. Finney, S.R.N., S.C.M., M.T.D., D.N. (London), retired after serving as Matron at 'The Haven' since its inception in 1945.
In January 1966 she was succeeded by Miss Ruby E. Burt, S.R.N., S.C.M., the author of this booklet.
Miss Margaret Dunkley, S.R.N., S.C.M., accepted the post of midwifery sister, and thus the continuance of the work, in the same spirit, was assured.
D.M.F.

THE GOOD NEWS PRESS, CHELMSFORD ROAD, ONGAR - ESSEX