13th March 2003
 
Johnny Leach an old Goldings boy asked if Goldonian web would like his copies of the Guild magazine for archive material, which I gladly received. John handed me forty copies of the old style magazine dating from 1966 to 1987 which will go towards the web archive, Goldonian web has been granted permission to copy old photos and use content providing we give information on site of its origination. When I next get a few moments to spare I will sort out some content for the site. We are still very short of our old school magazine The Goldonian so if you have any old copies to spare or they are just gathering dust in your loft please don't let them end in the rubbish tip, send them to Goldonian web. While going through some of the old magazines John handed me I found some copies of the staff magazine the forum, one was from 1966 and who should be in one of the photos? Me when a group from Goldings went to Cartref Melys the Barnardo adventure centre. We all were very lucky to be the first to try out all the equipment. So you never know what you will find when you go through old Barnardo magazines. The photo above was taken in Johnny's Barn  2 Poverty Street which is on the Corner of Hardupbend, Northants. OLD GIT

The photo above taken on Johnny's birthday aged 70 years young. The photo below was taken aged 18 on leaving Goldings, Johnny had some time gardening and was late answering his national service call-up.

A little update on Johnny, this Easter 2003 he had forgotten to get an Easter egg for some of his friends so he nipped out to the local shop. On the way back to his home he was attacked by three youths who kicked and punched him to the ground and if that was not enough one brave lad then kicked him in the ribs and then punched him in the face. The police were called and took him to the hospital where he was given the all clear. Johnny is on the mend but a little sore. The good news the brave lads who can only attack old men did not get any money as they were quite thick and had quite big chips on their shoulders.

Johnny works for his local Barnardo Charity Shop, where he gives his time willingly to serve others and help out, like many victims of needless violence, Johnny would far sooner have given these thugs some cash and with a smile on his face.
 

September 2003

John has been working full time over the last month at The Barnardo's shop in Northampton. Over the last month the shop has raised £3800.00 but John has got to explain the £9999,99999,999 deficit recorded on the till roll. We at Goldonian web think that half of it went in his back pocket with the balance placed in a biscuit tin at the back of the shop or did he move it to the Indian Ocean. We all thought it strange that he has taken up Scuba diving at his time of life!

Click here to view photos of John laying a wreath at the Barkingside memorial.

Also Johnny has his own web site, done with his own fair hand Link