The Village today:  Dr. Barnardo's dropped the word Home in 1991 along with the Dr. So today it's just Barnardo's, Village but the work still goes on today with Barnardo's helping more children than they ever did in our day's while in care. The Cottages were no longer needed for the purpose they were built for, so what to do with the cottages that had served Dr Barnardo's so well.

New life for The Village as reported in 2003 (Edited from the Guild magazine)

New residents will be moving to The Village. Eleven of the remaining cottages in Barkingside have been sold on a long lease to Anchor Housing Association who have turned them into flats for retired people. The Cottages sold are; Cyril built in 1877 Eton, Beehive that were built in 1879 Clement, Mayflower, Tyler, Ilex, Hope, Peace cottages that were built in 1887 leaving Mignonette and  John Sands that were built in 1903

The Village at Barkingside holds a very important place in the hearts of many Old Boys and Girls and Barnardo's staff. It's the place where Dr. Thomas Barnardo first realised his vision of small family units with house Mothers to look after his young girls. It was here that his dreams were turned into bricks and mortar, but for many years, the seven cottages on the north side of the green and the five larger Victorian cottages behind the 'back lane' had been empty and had become increasingly run down. The protected buildings were no longer a desirable memorial to Dr. Thomas Barnardo.

Many options were explored before the sale to the Anchor Housing Association was finalised. It was agreed that the 11 cottages sold would each be divided into four flats (two up and two downstairs) to provide attractive, comfortable accommodation for retired people on a long term lease of 999 years.

From the village green, the cottage exteriors are unaltered. It is only from the back lane, that the changes can be seen.  Fittingly, the 'back lane' has been renamed Mossford Way after Dr. Thomas Barnardo's original house. (see photo left)

Two new buildings of flats have also been erected: one on the gap between the cottages where there used to be a path leading to the school; the other is on the site of Mossford Lodge. These homes will bring new life to Barnardo's past,' Chief Executive Roger Singleton told Guild Messenger readers. 'It is a way of retaining the architectural importance of Thomas Barnardo's work, while providing attractive, much needed homes in the area for the future.' The sale has also provided Barnardo's with money for its current, vital services with children, young people and families.

Replica gates to The Village have already been erected and the clock in Cairns House has been restored. The changing role of The Village reflects the changing needs of Barnardo's services in today's society,' said Roger Singleton. 'We need to meet the needs of today's children while remembering and marking the importance of Barnardo's past.

Linney House named after. Miss Linney, who had been badly burnt as a child or during 1938 to 1945 when it was reported she rescued children from a burning building. The building is earmarked to be knocked down along with other buildings which will hold the new Barnardo's Headquarters. Which means the Carbuncle is finally to be removed and the land used for local housing.

Box collections are to be re-housed in the upper floor of Cairns House which was the living quarters of Miss Fisher who had got the Village Homes working again after the second world war.

The remainder of the cottages Burwell Park, Curling, Mickleham, Sweetbriar, Pink Clover, St. Helena and Syndal cottages that were built in 1887 are also preserved around The Village green, not forgetting; Joicey and Pussy Cottages of 1887 are located  as you enter through the refurbished village gates, these cottages were used as offices for The Village Homes.  Some of the cottages today are home to Barnardo's London division projects, while others are used as offices. Two of the cottages Ivy and Oxford, built in 1887 have been adapted to be used as the After Care Centre which were opened in 1997 when they moved from Barnardo House.

Queen Victoria House is now the local registry office. The Barkingside church completed in 1894 still remains today and is still used for Staff services which are held there each Tuesday. It is still used for memorial services, weddings etc. The church also has a Memorial Garden that was completed in late 2003 in memory of Her Royal Highness Princes Diana Princess of Wales 1961 - 1997 who was the Barnardo's President from 1984 to 1996.

Today the land on which Thomas Barnardo started in 1876 today consists of a Magistrates Court, Council Estate, Registry Office and one remaining green with most of the cottages leased to a housing association.

Today whatever dwells in the depths of your memory can only serve, like a sundial, to mark the sunny hours even though they are those of yesterday.

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