Dr Barnardo's Homes Parkstone Sea Training School

The above photos show Lady Russell Cotes House then and now

Parkstone Sea Training School opened in 1949 prior to this date it had been called The Russell-Cotes Nautical School after its benefactor which had trained boys for Merchant Navy. The boys from Watts Naval Training School had joined them in 1949, then in 1951 the school was officially re-named Parkstone. Dr. Barnardo's continued to train young seamen until 1964, by which time naval careers had long ceased to have much appeal for most boys plus fewer boys would be needed in the post war Navy.

In 1964 Parkstone Sea Training School closed its doors for good. Six of the boys Patrick Forsley, Robert Rumble, John Morgan, John Mansfield, Rodger Arnold and Roy Mason were transferred to another branch home of Dr Barnardo's in Hertfordshire named Goldings WBTS they were all settled in Aberdeen House. The band equipment, .303 rifles, blue shirts and the music hut to name a few, also ended up at Goldings WBTS which was also to close some years later in 1967.

The Russell Cotes Nautical School which had trained boys for Merchant Navy had started in 1919 the funds had come from Sir Merton and Lady Russell-Coats who were involved with charity work, they providing land, money and overseeing development of property for the Shaftesbury Society and Dr Barnardo's.

1964 PARKSTONE SEA TRAINING SCHOOL

At 4 pm on Monday, 27th July 1964 the bugles rang out for the last time at Parkstone as the moving and solemn service of 'Ceremonial Sunset' took place at the closing of the school through which many of our boys have passed over the years.

The service was conducted by the padre, The Rev G. C. Anthony, the parade was under the command of the first officer, Lieut-Cmdr Woolven, and the band, which played beautifully, was directed by Bandmaster J. Challis. Friends of the school, staff, and boys were all there, and representing the Homes were Lieut-Gen Sir Arthur Smith, Chairman of the Committee of Management, and Mr J. D. Knight, REO. The Captain and Lady Supt, Cmdr and Mrs A. G. Luxton, and Mr R. E. Wheeler, Headmaster, completed the party.

This ceremony was the culminating point of many months of anxious thought and consideration on the part of all those connected with our school during which the decision to close had been reluctantly taken. For several years the numbers of boys at the school had been going down and fewer and fewer had been coming forward to join. So much so that it was not only becoming more difficult to maintain a comprehensive curriculum but the cost of running was prohibitively high.

The Council of Dr Barnardo's are very conscious of the good work which has been done at the school for so many boys, and are actively engaged in considering some establishment in which similarly adventurous and valuable training can be given. This will not be at Parkstone, the site of which will probably be sold, but our work will carry on in the district in some other form.

For more information Parkstone STS now have a web site www.parkstone-sts.org.uk including a forum started by Richard Eastwood with the help of Frank Cooke. Can you help? Do you have information or photos of Parkstone? Please send to richard.eastwood@parkstone-sts.org.uk or frank.cooke@parkstone-sts.org.uk