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New Lodge was opened September 1942 at a cost of £24,000 and started out as temporary wartime home for 99 boys aged five to 14 years. In August of 1947 it became a mixed accommodation for children aged five to 17 years. In 1955 there were three children all brothers who were transferred to Foley House. The home finally closed November 1956. History of New Lodge: In 1992 a reunion of ex-Barnardo boys who lived at New Lodge between 1950-1955 was arranged. The day was such a success it has become a bi-annual event. In 1956, the building was purchased by the British Transport Commission for £24,000. After refurbishment, costing over £100,000, it was used as a training school for railway catering staff. Barbour Index purchased New Lodge in January 1972 and took up occupation in June of the same year after further refurbishment. In the years since 1974, further refurbishment work has been carried out on the interior and exterior of the building and the gardens. As well as making the building a better place in which to work, the objective was to restore the property, so far as is practicable, to its original condition and decoration. New Lodge is currently used as offices. It was last offered for sale by Strutt & Parker in 2004.
09/05/10 Richard Davies wrote: The photo is the athletics team that represented New Lodge at the first all-England inter-homes meeting held in Crowborough in July 1950. I don't think the photo was taken at New Lodge because I don't recognise the background. I think it is more likely it was taken at Crowborough. The year after, in 1951, the meeting was transferred to the sports ground at Woodford Bridge. I can name a few of the boys on it as I was one of them. (As an aside, I ran in the 80yards hurdle, coming second to Johnny Woods who I later met at Goldings; I won the 440yards, and the mile - and still have the medal and cup to prove it! Sydney Wooderson - then the mile record holder - did the presentations.) The man standing back left is Ted Vowles, the Yellow House master. He later married Joan Firth's sister - I think she was matron of Blue House. Can't recall the other guy on the right at the moment. back row right; next to him is Hughes snr, at the other end of the row is his brother, Hughes jnr. Fourth from right is me. Can't recall the next boy, but the one more or less centre is Bill Beckley. Next but one to him (4th from left )is Donovan. Front row second right is Packman (he is also on the New Lodge photos I sent from our summer holiday in Marazion in 1950). Lastly the master on the right hand side is Roy Bryant his left hand is resting on Leon Wiezemburg, Richard went on to say I have a feeling New Lodge won that first inter-homes, which accounts for the triumphant smiles, clutch of awards and the presence of Mr Tucker!
I had written that the boy in the centre holding a cup was Bill Buckley. That was an error, his name is Bill Beckley (with an "e" not a "u"). I also said Packman is front row second left; I meant front row second on the right.
The master (rear right) whom I couldn't name is Roy Bryant. Either he or his brother later married Sheelagh Mace, the headmaster's daughter.
Len Harpin with the help of his brother came up with a few more names. back row left the lad with glasses Stephen Glass, next Brian Row, 3 row boy on right is Richard Gardner, front row 2nd left Michael Knight. On the 14th January 2009 Richard Davies contacted me via email with some photos and information of his time at New Lodge. At that time Richard owned a plastic Kodak 128 camera, the five photos he sent were quite good bearing in mind the original format of these photos were 3” x 2“. I had to do quite a lot of work on a couple of the photos and bring the contrast up a little.
Taken in July 1950 when the boys were on holiday for two weeks in Marazion, Cornwall. I can only remember the surnames of three of them. Top right is Packman; Middle two are Hughes and Wolf. (I can remember Wolf because I gave him one of my pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, 1950, and he promised to give me both of his the next year .Unfortunately I left for Goldings in the September, so as far as I am concerned he still owes me!)
August 1950, a couple of weeks before I was due to leave. Left to right is Bill Beckley, Johnny Greenhaulgh and myself. I think Greenhaulgh was restored because his older brother went to Goldings but he didn’t.
This group was taken at New Lodge, Windsor in July 1950. I can’t recall all the names, but I think the back row is (1) Purdon, (4) Meacham snr, (5) Bill Becket, (6) Dickie Davies; front row centre Cyril Fletcher, end of row Cecil Meacham; front with tongue out Terry Fox.
Bill Beckley again, this time with a very favourite assistant matron of mine. Her name was Joan Firth and I believe she eventually married a soldier from the Coldstream Guards’ base at Windsor Castle. Broke my heart when I heard about it. Two more of Joan. The first was taken in August. She is kneeling on the stone steps on the path at the back of New Lodge leading to staff quarters in Greenways. The second was in Marazion in July. I really do hope she is still around to see these.
That is all I have from New Lodge at the moment, but who knows what lays in the archive in my loft!
Best wishes, Richard (Dickie) Davies |
