Hertfordshire Mercury 7^th May 1921

" Goldings " estate, which, as all Hertford knows, stands on the outskirts of the town, is apparently destined to become' one of the branches of Dr. Barnardo’s Homes. Speculation has for some time been keen as to the future of this beautiful mansion, and local interest will be stirred by the news that the district is to be closely identified with one of the finest, most successful, and most philanthropic! Movements in the United Kingdom. Fifty-four years ago Dr. Barnardo rescued his first little street Arab from destitution and misery, and possibly even he failed to realise what a wonderful work he was beginning, or how deeply his name would come to be reverenced in every land that flies the Union Jack. For that little orphan was the forerunner of over 91,000 other children who have entered the Homes forlorn and destitute, and have passed out of it to become useful and self-respecting citizens, playing - their part through the length and breadth of the Empire. The age of miracles has not really disappeared. Here we have, indeed, a record of 91,000 miracles! Could the material from which these transformations have been wrought have seemed more unpromising? few of these children owed anything at all to parentage or to early surroundings. Not all of them, of course, came from a vicious environment, but with-out exception their lot had been cast amidst neglect and suffering and poverty where they knew nothing of the joy and happiness that should be childhood's natural heritage. Left to themselves they would have inevitably have become idlers and wastrels, whereas it has been the glory of the Barnardo Homes that the goodness that is in our common humanity has had a chance to show itself, and these 91,000 children have been turned into sturdy sons and daughters of England. Only in the rarest instances have they ever failed to do the utmost credit to the great Institution that rescued them or to repay those whose benevolence has hade the continuance and development of its wonderful humanitarian mission possible.

So much has been said, of course, only as a prelude to the story of an interesting scheme which, if all goes well, will bring a valuable department of the Barnardo work to “Goldings” The owner, Capt. Abel Smith who has shown great interest in Dr. Barnardo’s Homes, hearing of their needs generously offered the property on most exceptionally favourable terms. He has stated that nothing could be more fitting than that the home of his fathers should be placed at the disposal of these lads, many of whom, but for the Barnardo Homes, might have come to grief. Negotiations were accordingly opened by the Council of the Homes, but these have now been carried so far that an appeal for funds is to be issued to the public, which in the past has always responded to the claims of this splendidly managed Institution with the greatest generosity. "Goldings" moreover, is to be acquired as a memorial to one who, second only to the debt due to the founder himself, had placed the public under a special sense of obligation because of the faithful service he rendered to the homes during the fifteen years he held the Honorary Directorship. We refer to the late Mr. William Baker. By birth an Irishman, and one of the moat brilliant academic products of Trinity College, he came to this country to win a successful career for himself as a member of the Chancery Bar. In 1880 he made Dr. Barnardo's acquaintance – an acquaintance which rapidly deepened into an intimate friendship, founded upon a common interest of both men in work for the care of destitute children — and in 1887 he identified himself more closely with the Homes as a member of the council and of the Finance Committee.

So devotedly did he consecrate himself to the work that when in the year, 1905 his friend Dr. Barnardo passed away, he was invited to become his successor, and from that time until his own Death in November, 1920, he gave himself and his remarkable talents unsparingly to the consolidation and expansion of that noble effort in child rescue that radiates in so many, many directions and forms from the headquarters at Stepney. It was a work of course, that demanded from him the sacrifice of the lucrative legal practice that he had built up for himself, and a work to which, moreover, he brought a singular broadness of vision, a wise and far-seeing judgment and unceasing energy. All these qualities William Baker possessed to an uncommon degree. No fewer than 30,000 children were admitted during the years he held office, and he was instrumental in completing several new institutions were the big Barnardo family could be cared for notably the Watts Naval Training School in Norfolk, The Russell - Cotes Nautical School in Dorset, the Boys' Garden City at Woodford Bridge, and the extension of the Girls Village Home at Barkingside to the latter communities in the County of Essex. Side by side with these labours of love he saw that the financial position of the entire work was placed on the surest foundations, and that the administration should be, as undoubtedly it is, a model of efficient and progressive management. Under Rear - Admiral Sir Harry H. Stileman, who has been chosen by the Association as Mr. Baker's successor in the Directorship after many years of valuable work as Admiral Superintendent of the Watts Naval School at Elmham, the Barnardo Homes will assuredly enter upon still another period of bountiful activity in the cause of the children, and the progress of the Work will be very greatly facilitated when the Council acquire possession of "Goldings."

The "William Baker Commemoration Fund," which has been opened for this purpose, aims at raising the sum of £50.000 and contributions from Hertfordshire sympathisers should be sent to Admiral Stileman at Dr. Barnardo's Homes, Stepney, London, E. No memorial to Mr. Baker, it is certain, could be more suitable in form, or more consistent with his own policy that, so far as it is practical, the boys should be placed and educated amidst bracing and pleasant surroundings, where their bodies can be invigorated in the open-air, and their minds freshened by contact with the beauties of nature, and their imagination refined and stimulated by the brightening influence of the countryside. Situated 200 feet above sea level, this new home will satisfy all that could be desired in the way of charming situation and healthy surroundings, and in every other respect it is admirably suited for the purposes for which it is about to be employed. The mansion itself will be used as the Home, the stables will be transformed into well equipped workshops, while the fifty acres of undulating land will provide ample playing grounds. " Goldings," as the other residents in the district will recall, was entirely rebuilt in the Tudor style about half-a-century ago on a site almost identical with that on which an old historic baronial hall formerly stood, and the tastefulness of  its architectural design and the richness of its internal decoration are remarkable even in a County which boasts many of the most " stately homes of England." The panelling alone is of exceptional beauty. The Park in the summer months, and in deed at any time of the year, is a feast of loveliness, while the lake makes the landscape all the more picturesque. Over the entrance doorway there appears an unusual inscription. " None come too early nor stay too late" it reads, and it is  characteristic of the warm - hearted generosity of the late Mr. Smith, the well-known banker, who at one time resided there, and whose family are the present owners of "Goldings."

Should the appeal be successful, it is proposed to transfer to the mansion the Boys' Technical Instruction Centre now located at the congested Barnardo head - quarters in Stepney Causeway. Some 300 lads will be maintained there during the time they are being instructed in a number of useful trades, amongst which will those of Blacksmiths, Wheelwrights, Bootmaking, Carpentering, Tinsmiths, Tailoring, Printing, Engineering, and Painting and Decorating. For all these trades Barnardo Boys have always had an unusual aptitude and they are not only reliable young workmen but they have a real enthusiasm for their tasks, and are cultivated in all the of gifts thoroughness. The intention is that the stables, which are particularly large shall be adapted as up-to-date workshop and the instruction will be the very best that can be provided. No branch of the Barnardo Institutions, indeed, will able to do a more valuable or a more practical work, for it is one that will put a trade the hands of these lads and send them out into the world strong, Robust, and self-reliant citizens. Numbers of them will settle overseas, and in this connexion, it maybe recalled that the Dominions Authorities are continually asking for more and more of these hardy young emigrants particularly Canada, from which during the war many thousands returned to the Motherland to serve in the Army.