LOCAL historian, photograph collector and Voice reader Barrie Doney has no shortage of pictures and stories from Cornwall’s past, which he shares with Voice Newspaper readers every week.

This week’s photograph takes us on a trip to a convent.

Barrie says of this photograph: "St Faiths Convent founded in 1864 and run by the Sisters of Mercy.

“It was a training home for adolescent girls in need care and protection. It was known as penitentiary for wayward girls. The girls were trained in domestic work ,particularly as laundresses and its services serviced the wide area. On leaving most girls went into domestic service.

“At the turn of the century it was one of 238 such sites around the country. and a chapel was added in 1876.

When the convent closed in 1950 the building was sold. It was renamed as Peregrine Hall and became a venue for medieval banquets. It has since been converted to holiday apartments in addition to bed and breakfast accommodation.”