Bill Cotton passed away on the 25th March 2010. Bill had arrived at Goldings on 20th January 1948 aged 13¾ and was placed in Aberdeen house. Bill had shown interests in being a journalist, the nearest Barnardo's could offer was printing so this became his chosen trade which he continued until leaving Goldings in 1951 and started his apprenticeship with the Barnardo's Printing Dept which lasted a further five years. Bill passed his apprenticeship and was found a position with The Cambridge University Press after doing his national service in the RAF. After some years at CUP he then went on to study theology becoming a missionary in South America where he met his wife Gladi. Each year Bill would send news from what ever part of the world he was spreading the word, his articles were printed in the Guild Magazine. In his latter years aged 71 he wrote his memories to paper which became a paperback book "They would have come looking for me. Wouldn't they?" the Funeral is to be held in Christchurch. Our thoughts and sincere condolences go to his Wife Gladys and family. Len Brotherwood 26/04/09 We have been informed today that Len Brotherwood passed away 25th April 2009 while in Hospital aged 75 years. Len was admitted to Barnardo's when he was three years old. He spent time at Whaley Bridge from 1944, Boy's Garden City 1945, Danecourt 1945 and finally arrived at Goldings in 1949 where he trained as a printer leaving in 1954. Len with other Goldings boys were film extras and can be seen in the photo with Jean Kent who is signing a cricket bat that was used in the film "The Browning Version". Brian Balderson Brian Balderson passed away on 29 December 2008 aged 65 years. Brian was admitted to Barnardo's when he was nine years old and was boarded out in Radyr, Cardiff, and Penarth. He arrived at Goldings 1956 where he trained as a carpenter leaving in 1959.
Basil Cozens passed away 12th November 2007 aged 89. In accordance with his wishes, only his daughters Christine and Alison attended the crematorium. Basil attended Russell-Cotes Nautical School from 1930-33 and The William Baker Technical School, Goldings from 1933-37. He was an able boy, both in his studies and on the sports field, playing in the soccer and cricket teams as well as being a member of the gymnastics display team. After his initial disappointment at not being able to join the Merchant Navy because of poor eyesight, he became a printer in Guildford. With the support of his local church, he attended theological college in Manchester and became a congregational minister. Marrying Margaret in 1944, they lived much of their working life in Coventry with their three daughters. Leaving the church in 1960, Basil taught English and Business Studies at the Coventry Technical College. He was one of the first students of the Open University in the early 1970s, graduating in 1975 with a BA. He had many interests, chief among which were a love of cryptic crosswords (both completing and compiling) and a quiet thirst to understand the meaning of life which led him to read the work of many religious thinkers, philosophers and ‘big bang’ scientists. In his later years, he described himself as a humanist. Throughout his life he paid tribute to Barnardo's, valuing highly the skills he learned and the values given him. In retirement he volunteered for his local Barnardo's shop for seventeen years. In replying to a letter of thanks for his service in 2003, he wrote: ‘I have Barnardo's to thank for “giving me back a future” in which I have been able to develop my independence and achieve what I am sure would not have been possible without the Homes. My service in the shop is simply the tail end of a longish life in which I have maintained my interest in Barnardo's while they remained ‘Homes’ and beyond.’ He was a loving and supportive father and husband, and celebrated his diamond wedding anniversary with Margaret and his family in 2004. Margaret survives him; she suffers from Alzheimer's disease and is in care.
John "Jimmy" James passed away 20th August 2007 we have learnt today that Jimmy passed away after being taken to the hospital a week ago suffering of a heart attack. We send our sincere condolences to his wife Joan and daughters. Jimmy was an was an active member of the National Council of Barnardo Old Boys & Girls The funeral was held at All Saints Church, Hertford on Thursday 30th August at 14:15 Joan had requested no flowers, all donations to Barnardo's. If you click on Jimmy's name it will bring up his story from his Goldings days to being a teacher of his trade. Jimmy's strong voice will be missed at the children's church Christmas service that is held each year.
John "Jack" Johnstone as he was known by many old boys of Goldings passed away on 17th August, 2007 In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. where he had settled down. I could write so much about Jack, but he wrote so many memories that they can be seen for those who would care to look, from fighter pilot to a man of the cloth not forgetting being a housemaster of Aberdeen house. Please read some of his memories, they make for good reading. Harold Wilkins Harold Wilkins Died March 2006. Many will remember Harold he was an electrician at Goldings. He was in his eighties. The burial was at St Michael and All Angels, Waterford Church. Our Condolences to his family. John Mclear John Mclear trained as a printer while at Goldings from 1954 to 1963 John stayed within the printing trade. It is with sad news to report John Mclear passed away 3rd December 2005 John had suffered with ill health for a number of years. He lived in Whitstable Kent. We send our sincere condolences. John Guy John Guy who was in Mount Stephen House passed away on the 30th November 2005 John was at Goldings from 1947 to 1951 and was also in the Army Cadet Band. John owned a shop in Hertford Town Centre that he ran with his wife Brenda for many years. When he retired he took a Job at the Stevenage Golf Club. Johns Funeral was on 13th December. Our sincere condolences go to his wife Brenda.
John "Mike" Clarke Email From Angela Billingham I would like to inform you of my father's death, peacefully in his sleep during a stay in respite, while my mother had another operation following an awful car accident in 2003. John ' Mike' Clarke, who has written a book - Barnardo Boy, which told his story from 16 years in care, his development from boy to man and learning the trade of Printing in Goldings. he finally built up a successful business, which is testimony to his tenacity and kindness to his workers. He was a gentleman in all meanings of the word and the numbers of those taking time off work to attend his funeral were supporting of that fact. I think it fitting that people he met at the few reunions which he and mother attended should be informed of his passing. He was a credit to both Barnardo's and Goldings. Click here to view the following tribute, which I had read out at the funeral, should help people understand what a wonderful man he became. I am collecting tributes which we are pasting in a book should anyone care to add to them please contact me. Angela Billingham.
Tom Cotton's memorial bench has been placed in the Princess Diana Memorial Garden by the side of The Barkingside Childrens church. Click here to view photos The wording is as follows: 1935 Tom Albert Cotton 2003 Click here to see the article posted to Goldonian Web
I attended the funeral of the above gentleman last week. My earliest memories of Reg are seeing him arrive for work at Goldings on a 50cc BSA Bantam motor bike. During his long life he tried several different occupations, until finally taking an apprenticeship in the printing trade. He began work at Goldings as a printing instructor before the second world war. After the war he attended a London college to gain C & G qualifications to enable himself to remain on the Goldings staff. He was a skilled craftsman and was pleased to pass on his great knowledge to the lads in the printing department. He stayed at Goldings until it was closed in 1967 and then continued at the Barnardo School of Printing for the rest of his working life, retiring at the age of 65. He was the man who introduced lithography to the Goldings print department. His main hobby was photography. He was also a dab hand at tapestry work. Many of which hung in his house. Reg had four children, a number of grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He liked a pint of McMullens beer and a scotch chaser. He was such a good customer at one local hostlery that when he became 90 years old McMullens awarded him a pint of beer a day for the rest of his life. He had many friends in the locality and will be sadly missed.
This warm tribute made at Mac's funeral sums up well the feelings of so many of us who knew him and-will miss him. After Care's Collette Bradford, Lyn Clargo and Betty Poulter were among those who attended the funeral. None of us Lives for himself alone, we all of us are involved in the life of others. That would be especially true in the life of a man like Mac Lang who knew so many people in his lifetime. It is also why death always comes as a shock that part of our own life has gone. In Mac's case, his death was sudden and the shock greater especially since he had coped with diabetes for so many years. for more info on Mac Gilbert Brown Gilbert Rae Brown tragically died on the 17th February 1994 following a car accident. Gilbert was aged 42 years and had his own printing company. He transferred to Goldings WBS in 1964 from Glasclune. Gilbert was a keen footballer and was chosen to play for his house Cairns. Our thought are with his wife Beverly, family and friends.
It is with deep regret we record the death at 69 of Mr. R. F. Wheatley, B.Sc., former headmaster of the William Baker School, Goldings, Hertford. He joined the School in 1945 as its first headmaster, the previous principal officers having been governors, and he brought with him an enthusiasm and vision that lifted the standards and improved the conditions for staff and boys. His endeavours in this direction were continuous throughout his service. Faced with post‑war shortages and rationing of materials his plans were often frustrated, but never did he accept they were not possible and gradually new buildings appeared and the dormitories in the mansion achieved a new look. Living in the mansion he was constantly in contact with the boys and had little time for personal pursuits. A keen cricketer, he was a member of the school team, commanding his place on ability. The boys of his time are now mature men, scattered throughout the world, in diverse occupations: businessmen, teachers, missionaries, craftsmen. All, I am sure, have affection in their hearts for the man who was always striving to improve the quality of their lives. The decision in 1966, the year of his retirement, to close Goldings the following year made him very unhappy. However, the young men who passed through the school during his twenty‑one years' service are still living proof of the school's motto: Finis Coronat Opus ‑"The End Crowns The Work". R. Stackwood |
