Babies Castle Dr Barnardo's Homes

Photo of Babies Castle children with nurse taken 1890 The Babies Castle was officially opened on 9th August 1886 this institution was for the reception of babies. In 1908 Babies Castle became a mixed home for children under eight years of age. It was particularly used for babies and young children who, owing to their physical condition, were not suited for boarding out.

On the 21st September 1927 the new extension that had been built was officially opened another outstanding event of that year was the installation of a wireless set which was used for the first time on Christmas Day when the older children listened to the Children's Service.

In 1964 The Babies Castle was listed as a Nursery with 48 places which was a vast reduction from the early days.

To let you know a little more information we will use the notes of Thomas John Barnardo written about 1887

"Up till the year 1884 the "baby question" met me at every turn in the course of my work, and no answer to its insistent beseeching was possible. I might rescue a family of little girls from circumstances of direct distress, and the Ilford Homes (Barkingside Village) gladly welcomed them; but how about the baby brother?"

So wrote Thomas John Barnardo in about 1887 and the notes give something of the problems he was experiencing in housing destitute children of both sexes. Since The Girls Village Home, Barkingside. (the Ilford Homes, as he describes them), was founded for destitute girls of all ages; the problem of where to house the babies of the male gender, seems to have been really acute, but then he goes on to describe how the problem was eventually solved.

"I need hardly say that I had already placed a baby in every one of the cottages at Ilford, the "mother" of which felt equal to such a responsibility; but this opening was soon exhausted, and then what was to be done? I have learned that God never sets His people a problem without keeping the answer in waiting, and just when my path seemed hedged with thorns, a way was unexpectedly opened through the kindness of a friend of long standing, one who has since then, gone to his rest the late Mr. Theodore Moilliet. This gentleman, who owned property at Hawkhurst, offered me the villa of Hillside, consisting of two small houses, with the accompanying land, as a free gift to be used for the benefit of the Homes. At that very time my fundamental principle of never refusing admission to destitute cases was in imminent danger of breaking down with regards to the babies. As I have said, most of the Ilford cottages were furnished with a baby, and it seemed impossible to provide for the rescue of several urgently needed cases just then under my observation. How joyfully and thankfully I accepted this timely offer at Hawkhurst can easily therefore be imagined."

"The gradual extension of my work brought an even larger number of cases within my purview. When, as during the period under notice some 7,000 children come under my notice for investigation in a single year, it would, indeed, be strange if not more than thirty babies at anyone time required institutional care. Hence the old trouble began to re-assert itself not very long after the opening of the original Babies Castle. It was difficult to accommodate sixty babies where there was room for only thirty, as it was to accommodate thirty where there was room for none; and soon an urgent call arose once more for enlarged space at Hawkhurst. Babies - above all, neglected babies - cannot be dealt with rightly ... through the mere "by efforts" of Institutions not specially devoted to their rescue. Hence it was definitely decided, after much inconvenience had been experienced, to erect, on the land given, as already described, a new Babies Castle which should gather in all the waifs whom I find deserted and maimed on the very threshold of life."

Construction began, on a new two-storey building, built mainly of red brick, in the spring of 1886, and by July of that year had been commissioned to its appointed vocation - that of housing many of the infants to come to the care of the charity in the next seventy nine years. Babies Castle was formally opened on 9th August 1886, by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck who was accompanied by her daughter princess Victoria, later to become Queen Mary, wife of King George V, and patron to Dr. Barnardo’s. Queen Mary herself was to become an active patron of the charity one of many illustrious Royal ladies to do so.

In May 1959 a local Townswomen's Guild expressed 'considerable surprise' at the large number of 'coloured infants' at the Babies Castle. Unless they could be assured that no white child was being refused admission as a consequence, the Townswomen warned, their support for Dr. Barnardo's would cease. They were reassured, and the matter blew over.!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another well meaning group who had never bothered to read Thomas Barnardo's aims or have known about the nine NOs of 1880

The Nine No's which make the door of admission the widest in the Wild World are:

1. No destitute child refused
2. No Race Barrier
3. No Creed Clause
4. No Physical Disability
5. No Age Limit
6. No Money Promise
7. No Voting
8. No Waiting
9. No Red Tape

Babies Castle closed, in 1965. It has now been re-named, appropriately enough, 'Hawkhurst Castle', after the nearby village of the same name and operates as a private nursing home for the elderly, under the direction of Kent County Council. The two houses which formed the original Babies Castle were, at a later date, to become the Matron's House. They were used as administrative offices for the nursing home next door.

Today (2005) the property has been sold for £1.7 million for a site area of approximately 2.03 acres (0.82 hectares).

Planning Consent has been given for the principal building (known locally as “Babies” Castle) for conversion to provide a total of 11 residential units, 9 being converted from the existing building, and a further 2 in the form of a new build extension. In addition there is consent for a further 5 new build properties in the grounds, comprising 2 no. 3-bedroom semi detached houses, 2 no. 4/5 bedroom detached houses and 1 no. 3-bedroom bungalow. As of 15/2/08 nothing has happened to the old building see photos below sent by Viv Sadler

On Valentines day 2008 I was sent some photos (below) taken by Viv Sadler who wrote: I was there for a while in 1943. Above is a picture of the staff who were there in the 40s I wonder if anyone will recognise them.

The building today has fallen in a bad state of repair and the local council are considering giving permission for the old building to be demolished. At the reunion of 2009 12 old babies and 60 ex nurses signed a petition asking the local council to reconsider and save the building.

The photo above shows nurse Audrey Newport with two of her old babies brother and sister. Audrey was one of the nurses in training 1946 to 1948. We hope to have a group photo taken on the day.

Frank Cooke