Welcome to the Goldings Guest Book ** We APPROVE all messages before they are posted ** Add a message : back to Goldings.org : Search There are now 5749 messages in our guestbook. <<< 1 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 1150 >>> Viewing messages 966 to 970. David & Denise Dyment It was wonderful to see so many at Goldings on Saturday. Thank you to all who brought us flowers, biscuits and chocolates. So very kind and generous. Above all we so enjoy meeting Barnardo families each year. Our warmest wishes: David & Denise 12 October 2017 - Goldings Email recieved Pete Heywood The Johnny Silvo Story' - An ex head boy of Goldings who made a career in music. Hi Dave You won’t know me, but I have been involved in folk and traditional music, mainly in Scotland, for the last 50 years or so. I’m currently researching the history of the Marymass Folk Festival which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. One of our regular performers was Johnny Silvo. (Silvo was his stage name, he was born John Frederick Woods.) We are currently working on a show about his life and music ‘The Johnny Silvo Story’. Johnny was a ‘Barnardo’s Boy and in an obituary it was mention that he went to Goldings (early 1950s) and was head boy. Johnny died in 2011. Do you know anything about him, or could you give me any background to the school which may interest people who have known Johnny through his music. Here is an extract from Johnny’s story for context: “Born John Woods in Wimbledon, south-west London, and like the notable guitarist, composer and vocalist Davey Graham he was mixed-race. Johnny was the son of an African-American soldier who was serving in Ireland, and his County Mayo girlfriend, who, unmarried, fled to London to give birth to her son. This basic story raises a few questions which we may never know the answer to. 1936 was a bit early for the American forces, who were based mainly in the north of Ireland. It’s possible that his mother may have been living outside of Ireland at the time, perhaps she was already in London. Whatever the detail, Johnny had Irish American links and an upbringing in England.” “The story goes that his mother was killed in an air raid so he grew up as a Barnardo's Boy. The historical record shows that it was hard enough being placed with a family after the war if white; getting adopted as a mixed-race child in post-war Britain was harder still. He lived in a succession of Barnardo's homes in Surrey and Hertfordshire. The young Johnny was placed in a Barnardo's home in Kingston upon Thames, where a fellow resident was the future author Leslie Thomas. He transferred to another Barnardo's home, the William Baker memorial technical school for boys, known as Goldings, in Hertford, where he was school captain.” Cheers Pete Heywood 12 October 2017 Dave 62-65 Happy birthday to Mike Smith Kerr have a great day mike 12 October 2017 David Wheatley | david.wheatley1037@gmail.com It seems that Carolyn & I missed a very good evening! Many thanks Dave to you and your Family. It has been a hell of a lot of work and labour, especially this year. 11 October 2017 - Witley Facebook messages Mike Justice Dave and Mal Blower - from all of us Old Boys and families, I take this opportunity of thanking you for all the hard work that you and your family put in to make our 50th anniversary Old Boys reunion, such a success. I'm sure all of us feel the same, it's one we'll remember for a very long time to come, so just a very big thank you. Jean Clark Love your message Mike every word is true they are all GOLDINGS though and though just love the Blowers wonderful family. Love Bluenose xxxx Sam Hill Sam Hill Well said Mike great see you 👍👍 Mikki Rath Mikki Rath Very true you all do a great job thank you .xxx Gordon Rath Gordon Rath Well said Mr Mike Justice Mbe very true thank you all THE BLOWER MOB and everybody who helped Peter Drummond Peter Drummond I agree with every word Winston Norton Winston Norton Fantastic event. Well organised, warm, welcoming, inclusive and emotional. Thank you all so much. Henry Johnston very good day David I thoroughly enjoyed it John Brown‎ Thanks David for a Great Day yesterday at the Reunion you & Family put so much into it and do a fantastic job. Well Done!!!! & Many Thanks again Three Cheers Take Care Leonard Harpin First one I have missed sad not to have been there . Tom Hill hear hear great day due to david and his brill family very much appreciated 11 October 2017 <<< 1 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 1150 >>> You can search this guestbook by: Message : - Name : - All : Please type some text: - Guest book sponsored by PC Home Help (01922) 626 366 - http://www.pchomehelp.net -