The Skinner sisters were very aware of the difficulties given to their sex and aimed to do their bit to help the plight of underprivileged women everywhere. By giving women the opportunity to breathe in the proclaimed healthy air of Torbay and a jolly good holiday break at reasonable cost, their reputation grew through mentions in newspapers, magazines articles and advertisements directed to women nationwide.

Women like the ruthless Charlotte Windsor ran a contemptuous business in taking in young children and babies for the sum of 3s a week, she ‘farmed’ out her own son having first resisted Mrs Winsor’s offer to smother him, but when she was unable to keep up her payments she stood by and watched Mrs Winsor smother her baby and wrap his naked body in an old newspaper.