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At
long last the ancient Stepney Home which has sheltered so many
generations of destitute boys has been bereft of its inmates. From
three hundred to seventy or eighty its population has fallen at one
fell swoop!
The Departure:
On
Wednesday, 19th April, 260 of its lads mustered for the last time in
its stony playground. They saluted the portrait of Dr. Barnardo
which had been placed in full view of them, and then with tuck of
drum and following their bandsmen, they marched out at the front
gate and along Commercial Road to Liverpool Street Station to begin
their new lives in a new environment. The East End turned out in
their hundreds to bid them farewell. There were tears and cheers in
abundance. In a couple of hours they detrained in the quiet old town
of Hertford. At the fine War Memorial there our boys halted to
deposit a wreath with the words: "A Tribute to Hertfords Glorious
Dead from the Township’s newest Citizens, ten thousand of whose Old
Boys fought on Land, by Sea and in the Air, and 700 of whom paid the
supreme sacrifice in the Great War".
The Arrival:
 An
hour later still 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 first meal was served in the McAndrew
Dining Hall, and a short dedication service brought this great day
for the boys to an impressive close.
The accommodation:
The
William Baker Technical School provides ample and well-equipped
workshops for the new trades. On the two higher floors seven bright
and airy dormitories have been prepared. On the first floor are two
admirable Sick Bays, facing south over the river Beane. On the
ground floor are the hall, the boys' library and recreation room,
three class rooms, the Governor's apartments, rooms for the
accommodation of the staff, and a conservatory which will also be
the headquarters of the Barnardo Scouts. There is ample garden space
which will grow all, and more than all, that the boys can eat of
fruit and vegetables. There are 50 acres of land attached for
playing fields and as a training centre for various forms of outdoor
work. Fifteen cottages also form part of the property, and in these
the technical trades masters are being accommodated. Goldings is
emphatically rural, and the town bred boys opened their eyes as they
beheld its primrose lanes and listened to the singing birds.
“Whoever had thought” wrote a visitor, “of so many little twisted
paths, so many jolly banks, such promising fruit trees, so wonderful
a view over river and hill and valley and the admiral, amid laughter
and cheers, warned the boys not to tease the hedgehogs, scare the
pheasants off the lawn, or rob the partridges of their eggs. There
is all the room they will want for sport, scouting, boating, farm
and garden and rural delights galore.
Night and Day June
1922
Reproduced in The Guild Messenger August 1972 |