Constant change was a feature of Mary Godfrey's childhood. Here she explains how she dealt with her most heart-breaking moments.

I was first admitted to Barnardo's at the age of three ­or maybe four - when my father died. I spent all of my childhood in Barnardo's and left at the age of 15. At first, when I was quite young, I didn't know that I had a mother. Then she would suddenly visit me. Then I would forget her. Then suddenly visit me again. When I was four or five, she suddenly arrived at the children's home and said: 'This is your new father. We are taking you home',

I don't believe matron at the home expected her; but we just went. I was back in care by the time I was six. I did go 'home for good' once again when I was eight years old, but that didn't work out and my mother was unable to keep me with her. So I returned to the children's home six months later.

My mother always loved and wanted me and I think she may have made some mistakes and bad decisions in her own life to keep me with her. There were some heart­breaking moments that we shared over this and a few surprises when members of my family came out of the woodwork as I grew up. And I had always believed myself to be an only child ... My childhood memories of my time at Barnardo's are generally good. I remember the days of the strict spinster matron and, later; the family married couple was introduced. I lived through the changes that brought.

I usually say that my children didn't have the great adventure that I did: growing up with so many other children and so many things to do. It really was like Enid Blyton's Famous Five stories. However; the one thing that I always found hard was showing affection and I always felt uneasy around naturally affectionate people. I always thought, 'goodness, they might kiss me hello or goodbye'.

I do believe that being in Barnardo's I lived through history, a special childhood experience that will not be seen again. Times have changed and Barnardo's and other organisations have a different approach on child care these days. When Dr Barnardo saw the plight of destitute children all those years ago, he helped them. Barnardo's is still helping children and young people today. Their needs may be a little different, and there are no more children's homes, but the work continues: helping young single parent families; helping to support young carers; looking after homeless people and those sleeping rough on the streets.

One thing most of you will not be aware, Mary who like most us admits she went scrumping in the village orchard in the 60s returned to Barkingside in her professional capacity as a trained florist, when her company Natural Style won the contract to maintain all the office planting throughout Barnardo's.

Mary Godfrey
Member of The National Council of Old Boys and Girls.

Long Melford 1952
Hallow Park 1953
Collier House 1954
The Village Barkingside 1954-64

 Barnardo Guild Messenger Winter 2005

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