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centre building, opened by H.M. Queen Mary on 31st March, 1931 Here
clinics and offices were housed and the Nursing Mothers' rooms
expanded into the Mothercraft Home. Accommodation was found for the
Chelsea Day Nursery established since 1915 in a gardenless house in
Sydney Street.
Here also were established the Training College to train nursery
nurses, the Day Nursery and the Nursery School.
The Centre suffered many vicissitudes during the 2nd World
War - the Mothercraft Home was closed, the Day Nursery evacuated
but, like the Windmill Theatre, "We Never Closed." Despite serious
air raid damage less than 50 yards away in Flood Street, the Centre
remained open for the distribution of milk free or at a reduced rate
to mothers and children under five, an "appointment only" clinic was
held, and a war time nursery was held in the East Wing.
On the greatly lamented death of Lady Melchett in 1945 she was
succeeded by the Marchioness of Reading under whose wise guidance and
advice the Centre was restored to its full range of pre-war activities
and has continued to increase and improve its sphere of usefulness.
Its activities are now world famous and minister most efficiently to
the needs of mothers and children - an average of some 300 weekly
a far cry from the early days of the Chelsea Health Society when only
20-25 mothers and babies were seen. From 1948 until the reorganisation
of London Government, it has continued as a voluntary organisation
with financial aid from the London County Council.
There is no doubt that it will continue its beneficent work for
the benefit of the mothers and children of the new Royal Borough of
Kensington and Chelsea.