Florence was the daughter of Sir Bernard Hall, (1812-1890), a West Indies merchant, Alderman and former Mayor of Liverpool (1879/80.) When she died tragically at the tender age of 22 her father built a boy’s club as a memorial to her, "in the hope that it might prove an acceptable place of recreation and instruction for the poor and working boys of this district of the city".

It was a permanent tribute to his daughter, built at his sole expense, and a focal point for the local youth who lived in a tough dock-side area of Liverpool, The Dingle.

The Florence Institute was officially opened as a boys' club in Mill Street, Toxteth, in 1890, four years after the opening of a similar establishment, the Gordon Working Lads Institute in Kirkdale on the other side of the city.

For a hundred years The Florence Institute, or the Florrie as it is affectionately known by locals, served the young working and unemployed youth of the area.

As a magistrate Bernard Hall saw the victims of poverty in the courts and he knew that keeping idle hands occupied would find less work for the devil.

Weekend camps were held at Heswall on the Wirral peninsular, reached by 6d ferry and bus return ticket. Summer camps were held in the Lake District away from the smoke, grime and pestilence of the inner city.

Liverpool lad Tommy Bache won his boxing medals at the Empire Games of 1958, which became the Commonwealth Games four years later. He remembers his Florrie days: " You could not join the Florrie until you were 10 years old. I remember winning the annual Best Member Cup four times. I boxed as an amateur and represented the Florrie and eventually England Schoolboys. In the Empire Games I boxed at fly-weight, and got a silver medal. I was also a good swimmer".

"When the Florrie closed in 1988 I was involved in making the ground floor secure, but to my regret I could not get any financial help towards making the upper floors vandal proof," said Tom following the Florrie's closure.

Tom has been active as a member of the Friends of the Florrie Group, set up to restore the Florrie to it's former use as a multi-function community centre. He was delighted when the Group recently gained access to the building as a first step in protecting the Florrie from further damage.

The Florrie was sold in 1987 and its management, The Florence Institute Incorporated Company, was dissolved in 1988 with the intention that the charitable work should be continued by another body.

Unfortunately this never happened and the building has been neglected, a target for vandalism, arsonists and the elements.

Sixteen years after closure, in 2004, the results of neglect are obvious in the Grand Hall, once so elegant and indeed grand.

The local community have formed a pressure group, 'The Friends of the Florrie' to work with all the agencies and stakeholders to redevelop the Florrie into a multi-ethnic community centre for all ages and abilities.

In the last twelve months the group have started the formation of the new Florrie company, held monthly public meetings and made contact with former Florrie members throughout the world via their new website.

The Liverpool Daily Post & Echo have publicised their efforts in the 'Stop the Rot' campaign and they have been supported by Bishop of Liverpool, Rev. James Jones, Gerry Marsden, pop star and former Florrie member, and Sir John B.Hall, great grandson of the founder.

To return to our story, after two years of waiting, permission was obtained for a small party of Friends of the Florrie to enter the building in October 2004. Former members Tommy Bache and Bill Williams accompanied Florrie Trust members, City Council and Building Inspectors on the tour of inspection.

Today the Florrie stands, derelict, but not forgotten on Mill Street in The Dingle. But not for long - a funding package of £4million is being drawn up by the Friends of Florrie and with the support of the community, the City Council and other stakeholders. They are confident that the Florrie will be Saved for 2008 when Liverpool celebrates its Capital of Culture Year.

For further information about the Friends of the Florrie and the progress of the campaign contact: Jim Brade, Secretary
c/o DCRT
Toxteth Town Hall
15 High Park Street
Liverpool
L8 8DX
www.savetheflorrie.org.uk

e-mail: wjb11@nildram.co.uk