The Arrival

On the 19th April 1922, 260 boys marched out from number 18 Stepney Causeway London E1 to go to their new home, The William Baker Technical School, Goldings, Hertford, Herts. The boys arrived by train at Hertford East Station, they marched through Hertford stopping at the war memorial, then then marched off with the band leading the way. The boys filed through the entrance gates and drew up on the lawn facing the Tudor architecture of their new Home.  A large company was awaiting them. Our Director and Lady Stileman, Mrs. Barnardo, Mr. William McCall, Rev. Arthur Buxton, and Mr. W. J. Garnett, J. P., were among the gathered friends. Admiral Stileman, addressing the boys, welcomed them to Goldings, or the William Baker Technical School, as it is henceforth to be called. He believed they would be happy there. They would, he was sure, learn to love and appreciate their new dwelling. " We have brought you here," said the Director, " to breathe in God's fresh air and  to build you up, not only in health ' but in character. Rise to the occasion, I beg of you. This school will be a tremendous help in getting you to go out into the world strong and worthy lads and God-fearing citizens. We want you to show our friends what good  work Barnardo boys can do." Sir Harry then introduced Mr. Garnett as their new Governor. With a volley of cheers the boys greeted him. “Boys” said Mr. Garnett, " I am proud of you. And now what about tea? " It was voted the best speech of the afternoon!

The Official opening

Various gifts were presented from the different shops (trades) to the Prince, who accepted them with a cordial “thank you” in each case, and a handshake to each boy. The Carpenters shop made a collar and tie box in highly polished maple wood with compartments for studs, links, gloves, etc with a gold plate, duly inscribed. The Tinsmiths made a hot water toilet can silver plated. The Printers made a photo book about the history of Dr Barnardo. The Wheelwrights made a wheelbarrow made of stout oak. The Bootmakers shop made a pair of tan shoes with three ostrich feathers (The Prince of Wales crest) on the insteps.

At the opening ceremony over a thousand Institutional and local friends assembled to cheer the Prince. Mr William McCall, in a brief speech, told the story of Goldings and of the “great trek” from Stepney in April 1922. This was a red-letter day in the history of the “Homes”. The boys there would remember that day when they were old men, and they would be proud that the Prince “ Our Prince” as the people loved to call him had come to see them, to speak to them and give them good advice, and to open the School. The Prince then unveiled the memorial stone by removing the union flag that had covered the stone above the door. A great volume of cheers followed, and then His Royal Highness drove off in his open top car to Hertford.

Why was the School called the William Baker Technical School?

the school was named after Mr. William Baker who had become the Honorary Director of Dr. Barnardo's Homes after the death of the founder, Dr. Barnardo. It was called a technical school because skills were taught there as well as knowledge.

Where was the School?

Goldings was in Hertford the County town of Hertfordshire, which is twenty five miles North of London. The Goldings estate was very beautiful and extended some 100 acres. In addition to the Home, Schoolrooms, Gymnasium and Workshops, it had a fine cricket field, six football pitches and a swimming pool.

What sort of Boys went to Goldings?

most of the boys were recruited from Barnardo Branch Homes and boarding ‑ out homes who had asked for transfer to Goldings, usually on the recommendation of older brothers or friends who have preceded them. Normally they were admitted in their fourteenth year, though occasionally they were accepted at a more advanced age. A proportion of places was made available to boys for whom Local Authority Departments had assumed responsibility.

What standards were required of entrants?

boys of average ability and good Character would have obtained the greatest benefit from their residence at the School. For them success was practically a hundred per cent. Certain, their prospects in life and value to the Community were greatly enhanced and they gave the greatest return for the money and effort, that was invested in them. The School accepted as part of its social usefulness a duty to absorb and help a proportion of boys who were less mature and require the steadying Influence of an orderly and purposeful community. With Its variety of trades the School made provision for a rather wide range of abilities and Interests.

What did the School to offer?

to boys whose Scholastic attainments are low on account of disturbed Schooling or lack of incentive, they had an opportunity to make up lost ground.

2. a chance to acquire Skill and train for a job, which is Interesting in itself and requires continued training and further education throughout youth.

3. the stimulating environment of a boarding school life with its manifold opportunities to develop special gifts and realize to the full the potentialities of each personality

the more interesting and better paid jobs are always taken by those who have the patience and good sense to learn some skilled work when they are young. A good craftsman is respected everywhere and finds enjoyment in his work as well as in his leisure time.

How were the boys placed at the end of their training?

Gardening:

according to aptitude and Inclination as private gardeners, public parks gardeners nurserymen, or grounds men. A boy with the required ability many have obtained a transfer to a college for higher education in horticulture.

BOOT and SHOE TRADE:

to small family businesses or large repair factories skilled boys were often placed in specialist work, such as surgical boot making.

CARPENTERS, JOINERS, PAINTERS, and DECORATORS:

the training is recognized by the joint Apprenticeship Council of the Building Trade and with the assistance of the School Building Trades Advisory Committee the boys were transferred to apprenticeships in industry with an allowance in apprenticeship time for their training at the school.

Sheet Metal, Workers:

to a wide variety of Industries using Sheet metal. Ex Goldings boys are now earning their living by practising their craft in the aircraft and motor Industries and in firms making agricultural machinery, refrigerators and ventilation Shafts for factories and ships.

PRINTING TRADE:

to industry as fully qualified journeymen. A comprehensive training was given up to the age of twenty-one. A hostel in the near by village of Waterford provides accommodation for the younger apprentices and older ones live in lodgings. All were paid the trade apprenticeship rates of the day while apprenticed and become completely self-supporting after their eighteenth birthday.

all our young men were assigned a welfare worker who helps Barnardo’s look after the boy's interests until the age of Twenty one.

How could I have got to Goldings?

by Asking your foster‑parent, the superintendent of your Branch Home, your teacher or anyone connected with Dr. Barnardo's Homes. If you want to learn a trade and you are ready to do your best for the School you will be given a welcome at Goldings. It's quite likely you will find some of your old friends here.

The above in part is from a special edition circa 1952 some wording changed. © Barnardo archive