Oxfordshire Colony

This is the first independent account of a unique institution, the Wallingford Farm Training Colony - later known simply as 'Turners Court' - which opened a century ago. Founded by a group of philanthropic non-conformists, the 'Colony' aimed to take unemployed young men off the streets, train them on the land and send them off to the 'Dominions'. During its 80 year history, Turners Court's clientele, training programme and lifestyle all changed radically. The author has used the institution's own records, together with the (mainly unpublished) accounts of former 'colonists' and staff members, and sets the history of the Colony in the context of 20th century legislation, economic and social change.