Dame Agnes Elizabeth Weston Agnes Weston was a Christian lady who created hugely popular Sailors’ Rests; one of these was located on Victoria Parade in Torquay. Torbay Civic Society Chairman, Ian Handford tells us more.
B
orn in London on March 26th 1840 Agnes Elizabeth Weston was a daughter of barrister Charles Henry Weston. She moved with her family from London to Bath in 1845 and here she enjoyed a private education. From an early age Agnes (now known as Aggie) was religious, perhaps due to the influence of Reverend J Fleming, Curate of St Stephens in Bath. She adored writing, riding and swimming and, in mirroring her father, also enjoyed astronomy and geology. Becoming an independent young woman without money worries, marriage was never a priority. Living in a happy, loving and successful environment Aggie spent her early years undertaking Christian activities including teaching. On Sundays she played the organ, having been tutored at Gloucester Cathedral. With her sister, she became an active member of the Temperance Movement in support of local clergy. In time, the girls opened a small shop in Bath, which became a coffee bar to meet the needs of the Somerset Militia in the city. The family financed the project and now the troops would enjoy access to board games, a writing room and have free light refreshment. Organised Christian meetings were held at the centre and though everything was nonprofit-making, it was not long before Aggie realised that a small charge ought to be made, as nothing of any value comes absolutely free. It was a first business lesson. But now local critics including Army officers went public, stating that soldiers might get ideas “above their station” having access to writing. The girls also had their detractors. This was an era when women were not expected to have a career and soon the girls’ parents were approached, “it was not right - unmarried girls should not mix with soldiers” - even if doing good works. Marriage was a woman’s role in life. However, the critics were silenced when the business prospered.
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It was clear to Aggie that many soldiers were lonely and frightened of returning to duty, mainly because they had no one at home with whom to correspond. She might fulfil that role; if a soldier wished to write or needed a letter that was fine - she could help. In time, the letter service benefited thousands of men and became an absolute saviour. One soldier on board a ship bound for India, explaining the idea to a sailor was asked, “You redcoats seem to have kind friends….do you think the lady would write to me?” The soldier replied, “I am sure she would - if she writes to redcoats - why not bluejackets?” Thousands of letters to and from sailors at sea were sent during the 1860s confirming the need for such a service. Aggie now created a monthly newsletter titled ‘Ashore & Afloat’, and this still survives, although it is now a bi-monthly publication. She edited the magazine for 45 years, while also addressing public meetings and visiting families of naval establishments. Eventually having left Bath for Plymouth she went to live with the Wintz family in Devonport. After joining the Royal Naval Temperance Society in 1873 she received a delegation from the Petty Officer and members of HMS Dryad in Devonport. They wanted her to set up a centre for ‘blue-jackets’ at the dockyard gates. Aggie was initially hesitant but when Sophie, daughter of the Wintz family offered help, she decided to proceed. Dozens of meetings were held in Devon by Aggie to establish the necessary funds to create a Temperance Centre. It mirrored the one in Bath but being at Devonport was soon renamed the ‘Sailors Rest’. It was a true meeting place, which developed into a hostel-institution, a home-from-home where sailors might take meals in quiet relaxation, with or without family or friends. Aggie next devised a savings club for sailors. This became so popular that she had to plead with the Admiralty to take automatic
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