Some information about the  Matron / Auntie of Henry Mountain Cottage Miss Joyce Kathleen Goffin who was only 47 years young when I first met her, yet to me she seemed so old I was 8 year old.

Joyce moved from Suffolk and joined Barnardo's in 1940 aged 29 and was placed in different Dr Barnardo homes to get a feel for the job she wanted to do. In those early years Joyce met and became a lifelong friend of Miss F. Tyler who had started with Dr Barnardo's in 1916 as a cottage matron. In 1949 Joyce was transferred to Mossford Lodge and then after a short time Joyce was given her own cottage Henry Mountain under the watchful eye of Miss Fisher. In 1958 / 64 Miss Tyler would always be available to help around the cottage.

In the preceding years many boys would pass through the cottage, many going to Goldings in Hertford for trade training. Each year the whole cottage was packed-up and transported to Lowestoft for the summer holidays. The home would be in a local church hall and each Sunday it was Sunday best, best behaviour and going on show at the Baptist church. 

Joyce Goffin retired in May of 1970 after 30 years loyal service to Dr. Barnardo's. She then moved into a one bed roomed flat in Addison Road, Hainault where many old boys and Girls from her old cottage visited her. Joyce also visited her old friend Miss Tyler each week and they attended the women's meetings at the Broadmead Baptist church where they were both regular members. Some weeks when Jean Knightly was well enough she would also meet with them, Jean had suffered with diabetes for many years.

On the 19th September 1986 Barnardo's had a pensioners day where Joyce met other ex members of staff at a buffet lunch, but before this a special guest had arrived The President of Barnardo's The Princess of Wales.

Both Joyce and Jean were amazed that a friend of theirs who was also matron at Barkingside was a relative of my wife Maggie. What a small world, Joyce found it hard to believe at first as Jenny was only a little way from Henry Mountain cottage and was there at the same time I was in care. One other member of staff of Goldings Mr. Steel had wanted to meet a Lady he had met on a Government Course in the 50s but Barnardo's had no contact details. I did as it was none other than Jenny Cannon. They both met at the Goldings reunion of 2003.

I invited both Joyce and Jean to my house in Letchworth as Joyce had  wanted to have a look around Letchworth, being the First Garden City, they both stayed for Sunday Lunch and some time was spent driving around Letchworth. Sadly I was not to meet with Miss Tyler as she had passed away on the 2nd July 1982 aged 90 years old. Both Joyce and Jean were due to come to Letchworth again so they could have a better look around the First Garden City and meet the Cubs of my pack which numbered 24 at a family service at our local church. I had also arranged for the cubs to give Joyce a grand howl. I had a phone call mid week from Joyce saying Jean had been taken into hospital. Jean Knightly sadly passed away in 1992 a service was held 29th May.

In about the April Joyce was admitted to Hospital for Three weeks after suffering a heart attack. While in Hospital her sister from Lowestoft came to see her and offered her a little holiday back home with her, but sadly before Joyce was well enough her sister was diagnosed with cancer of the spine and quite quickly slipped away in her sleep.

I stayed in touch with Joyce by letter and phone and went to visit her when Joyce had her good days. My sister lived just around the corner so Joyce would let me in for a quick coffee and a chat and I could do any little jobs that needed doing around her flat.

photo taken at Jeans flat 1990

Joyce Kathleen Goffin sadly died on 26th March 1995 aged 84 I had not seen her for about eight to nine months at her request as she had been having trouble talking and getting about.

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