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Viewing messages 1831 to 1835.
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Dave
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You will become aware as different Old Boys send in stories of their reasons for going to Goldings that in the early 60's,and possibly before, that many boys were not Dr Barnardo's children but from broken homes, in need of "parental guidance" and many other walks of life that may have beset them without the influence of Goldings.
Many came from Local Authority Homes (like myself) who felt that Goldings would do a better job in improving our lot than they could possibly do.
Now my personal opinion kicks in. Due to many improvements in family life after the war, children of Dr Barnardo’s were becoming less so they needed to supplement revenue by offering places to Local Authority Children, but as Local Authority's changed and retained children in their locality, influx to Goldings dried up. So at this stage Dr Barnardo's decided to close Goldings. Shortly afterwards they were approached or they made the approach to turn Goldings into an Approved School for Boys with Government funding!! This was stopped by the locals with a strenuous petition to stop such an idea, and with Herts County Council aware of this situation purchased it off Dr Barnardo's for £200,000!! including 110 acres of land (I cannot to date know if this included the Verney as no one has given me the information I have requested) but it did include Staff Houses and Cottages!! quite a bargain!
When Herts moved out Goldings fell into terrible disrepair and was finally sold to Mr Flannery for development, who has done a fine job in restoration, and many of the residents welcome us back, and listen to our stories of time spent at Goldings. I personally feel that the developer rescued that fine old building and came somewhat to restoring it's former glory, with the chance once more to recollect mainly the fine old times we spent our "Teens" at Goldings, and a chance for our children and grandchildren to walk were once we played and lived.
3 April 2014
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Dave
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We have received news today that Ken Grethe has passed away.Ken was the person to contact to book the hall for our re-unions,and I must say he was very supportive to us and always rang shortly after the previous re-union to make sure we were first in booking the hall that gave us priority over everyone else with the date of our choosing.He was also a member of the Goldings Bowls Team,not a Goldings Old Boy but was a friend to many Old Boys and Staff locally,and supported us in many ways.
Ken Grethe R.I.P.
3 April 2014
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Clifford Steele (Pop)
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The message below is from a member of Staff who was revered by us,and was very active in supporting the re-unions well before I came on the scene.
Dave, Continuing the theme suggested by Reg Longman. I arrived at Goldings from the North East on Thursday 24th. May 1956. Loved the place so much, decided to stay. Until the powers that be made a disastrous mistake and kicked me and everyone else out some eleven years later in 1967 However, the reunion every year means they still cannot get rid of me.
Pop.
2 April 2014
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Len & Chris
| chrislen@talktalk.net
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Hi im back from our. Honeymoon} do you know it is 69. Years to day since our. Dear. Mr. Wheatley & his. Family came to. Goldings on. April 1st 1945.
1 April 2014
- Colnbrook Slough England
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Dave
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Many thanks Reg,you have just made me 67!!not 65,March 16th 1949 was the day Goldings were later to receive a pupil that needed correction,and it worked!
Have a good day Reg.
1 April 2014
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