A GATHERING to celebrate a landmark anniversary of Lochvale Boys’ Home Trust was a big success.
From 1925 to 1980, Lochvale House provided a safe haven for 474 orphaned, destitute or neglected boys.
Some of the former resident boys, their families and friends met at the home and were hosted by Bryan Dickson, himself a resident boy from 1960 to 1960.
The event was to meet and greet old friends but primarily for Bryan to submit the official registers containing the records of the 474 boys, numerous photograph albums and other memorabilia from the time that Lochvale was a Boys’ Home into the safe custody of Anne Rinaldi, the Dumfries and Galloway Heritage officer.
Bryan also presented a unique collection box to Judith Hewitt the curator of Dumfries and Galloway Museum. This box would have been located in Burns’ House in the late 1890s to collect funds from visitors. It was removed by the directors of the Industrial School who leased the house before the Burns Society took possession in 1903.
The box was discovered in a tool shed by Bryan just before Lochvale closed as a home in 1980. He has preserved and treasured it since but feels that it should be returned to its rightful place, Burns’ House.
Bryan said: “Lochvale Boys Home provided a safe haven for 474 boys from 1923 to its closure in 1980.
“The doors closed without any recognition given to the superintendent and matron, the other support staff or the countless army of people from the Dumfries local community who gave their time, effort and money to support the upbringing and welfare of the Lochvale Boys.
“It may be 45 years late, but better late than never, on behalf of all of the Lochvale boys I thank you all.”
