Well that's the information on the Barnardo web site and in Childhood Memories, A photographic history of Dr Barnardo's. They both state the home was opened in 1946. Also the detectives amongst you will also notice the photo is the wrong way round on the Barnardo web site, but while they could correct that they can't change the one in the book.

29/3/06 @ 18:35 I received an email from Sue Love (Johnson):

Hi ...I am an old Barnardo's girl that was at Woodlands, Glen Iris Avenue in Canterbury. I was browsing on the web today and came up with one of your pictures of Woodlands, what a nice surprise. The caption underneath is however wrong. You say that Woodlands was opened in 1946...and it was actually 1966, I was there the day we moved from Charlton Park to Canterbury.

In case it is of interest, I can tell you who the children were in the photograph. three of whom are my own siblings.

The child receiving the ball is my sister, Jennifer Johnson, and the child throwing it is Olwen Steventon. The tallest boy is my brother Michael, and the boy behind is my youngest brother Ian. The last boy in the line, was called Richard Jackson.

The man at the doorway, is Mr Butler, he was the husband of the superintendent. His name is ( he is still alive) Frank Barnabas, but he was called Barney, by all but the children who called him Barney Rubble, fond memories. My three siblings are still alive and well, I cannot tell you about Olwen or Richard.

I would appreciate it if you could direct me to any other photographs of Woodlands or of Charlton Park. Being one of the older children at that time, I spent more of my years in Barnardo's at Charlton Park, and only two years at Woodlands. My eldest brother incidentally was at Goldings and did carpentry...I still remember the huge tool box he came back to Charlton Park with when he had finished his time at Goldings. Unfortunately he died six years ago, but his 'trade' always stood him in good stead.

I have attached a photo of the tool box we all received on the start of our chosen trade. The tools were all good quality, apart from the wooden Jack plane which was a little dated when I left in 1966. The tools were yours to keep provided you finished your apprenticeship. I still have mine today even though they gave me quite a problem. Ed