The memorial plaque for Sister Beryl Bonwick is attached to a font at the front of the Waterloo Methodist Church in Ramsey.
The simple rectangular plaque is attached to a font at the front of the church and carries the following inscription.
'In Memory Of
Sister Beryl Bonwic
Local Preacher
Sunday School Superintendent'
Sister Beryl also had an interest in the Isle of Man National Childern's home as can be seen in the following article:
'After the business of the AGM had been it was planned that Sister Beryl Bonwick should speak about the work of the National Children's Home on the Isle of Man. Unfortunately, family concerns meant that Sister Beryl had to be off the Island, so her speech was read for her by the President, Rev.Kenneth Britton.
Sister Beryl recalled first, the beginnings of the Organisation, with the concern of Rev. Thomas Bowman Stephenson to help the thousands of homeless children in London; and the fact that his plan of action to help the children was frowned upon by the hierarchy of the Methodist Church.
Mr. Stephenson persisted however, and his first home opened in 1869 , with two small boys being admitted.
The work in the Isle of Man began in 1880 . A certain Miss Gibson had been running a Children’s Home in Ramsey, especially for Island children, known as The Suzanna Gibson Refuge for Destitute Children. Before she died in 1880 , she asked that the Home become affiliate to Dr. Stephenson’s and so NCH in the Isle of Man was born the fiftieth branch to be established. Because of its situation surrounded by bracing air and sea breezes, Dr. Stephenson felt that this home should be used for those with failing health, and children were sent to the Island with great expectations of what the Isle of Man could do. Many returned to England as strong and healthy youngsters, but sadly, some did not make it. One little girl was one of a family of eleven ten of who had died. Little Meg also died of tuberculosis all the love and care she received on the Island could not save her and she died eleven months after her arrival . A kindly Ramsey friend gave £20 for her burial and headstone in Lezayre churchyard.
There were always difficulties running the Home, which soon removed to Ballacloan, and the records indicate such incidents as when the food ran cut, and the children and staff prayed. A little later there was a knock at the door, and a local farmer delivered a sack of potatoes.
In order to raise funds to ease their situation, they decided to offer public baths , but since no-one in the town was prepared to admit they needed a bath, that idea did not last long.
It was not long before Dr. Stephenson realised he needed training for the young men and women caring for the children, and later set up the Sisters of the Children, a trained body of women who cared for the children for over 100 years.
The work continued to develop nationally, and by the time the NCH celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, it was caring for 3,000 children in 20 homes, and over 14,000 children had passed through their hands.
Sister Beryl illustrated how, over the years, the nature of the work has changed with changing demands in society, and today projects vary from Family Centres to Community based schemes for Young Offenders ; from Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Centres to work with children with disabilities.
NCH set up the first Family Centre in the Isle of Man. "Bonwick House Neighbourhood Family Centre" today continues to project the NCH tradition of caring for children and their families, giving every child its right to love, care and understanding, to help it reach its full potential, as does Cumnal Shee in Douglas.
Sister Beryl's talk ended with the reminder that NCH in Action still upholds the Christian way of life , seeking to save those who are lost and letting know - we care.' (
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