Never a truer word spoken. With the book now mostly completed, Ralph made the mistake of visiting the Surrey History Centre where, more by luck than judgment, he stumbled across a significant amount of information on the young men and boys listed on the Beechholme War Memorial. This has necessitated an extra (and hopefully last) chapter. The local book shop also has a list of people wanting the book for Christmas so they are desperate to see it finished.

The original little booklet on Beechholme is our most frequently requested publication but we now have no stocks left. The easiest solution was to simply republish the original however, through the many contributions to the website, new contacts, and later research, we had accumulated a vast amount of new information and photographs. Publicizing our rewrite brought in even more, including approaches for Mr Banner's wife (The Superintendent) and other key people.

This was great news but the resources we have in the Group who could work on this project are very few, and the main player, our hard working secretary, is also working on several other projects. The result of all of the above is that the new publication has been considerably delayed so we can only apologize to those of you who have been on the waiting list for much longer than expected. We hope you will appreciate that this group is made up of a few volunteers working in their spare time. The good news is that the new publication will be of far better quality and we hope well worth the wait.

The choice of contents were heavily influenced by Gillian Stile Los (see special report below) who was able to not only identify many items, people and locations in the photos, but also advised us on the sort of photographs that ex Beechholmers would like to see.

We are still interested to see any photographs or hear of any memories you may have of Beechholme.

GILLIAN STILE LOS VISITS BHRG Gillian on the breezy Downs. On Monday 21st July 2008, Gillian arrived at Banstead railway station on her two yearly trip from her home in California. Gillian spent her whole childhood at Beechholme and has kept in touch with many children she knew at the time. She travels extensively and spends a lot of time and effort visiting ex Beechholmers. Gillian was met by Lewis Wood, your BHRG webmaster and Ralph Maciejewski, BHRG secretary. We had a very pleasant lunch at The Mint in Park Road. Ralph showed Gillian the draft of the new book and lots of photographs. Gillian's memory of Beechholme is pin sharp and she was able to describe all the locations in the photographs in great detail, often adding considerably to the information we already had. After lunch, we drove past the memorial and the Woolpack, and the Waitrose Supermarket which Gillian remembered used to be the Village school. Further along Banstead High Street, we went past the church and further still Woolworths, where Gillian once worked. Gillian and Ralph with the first draft copy of the new book on Beechholme. We crossed the Brighton Road - "much more traffic" remarked Gillian - and stopped in Nork. We walked along the parade of shops where Gillian reminisced over her trips to a small coffee shop, now no longer there. We then drove along Fir Tree Road and up to Epsom downs where we had a fine view across the whole of London. The sun shone but as always, it was a little breezy. We took Gillian to the new Epsom Downs train station which is now at the far end of a housing estate and considerably smaller that the nine platform station it used to be. After that we drove around the old Beechholme site noting several streets named after the original Beechholme houses. Press 'Play' Thank you Gillian for coming all this way to see us, and all your friends. Gillian caught the 5.35pm train from Banstead station to Victoria but before she left she recorded this short message for all you Beechholmers out there. ............. So where are you all? If you or your relatives spent any time at Beechholme, do write in and tell us about it. We very much like to hear from you, and if you wish, we may be able to put you in touch with others who were there at the same time. Lewis Wood

Mail the Webmaster with any contributions. He always replies! Thank you.

In the meantime, have a browse through a selection of memories already sent in.


October 2008 - Thanks to Helen Bowker who wrote about her mum Vera Ida Washington who was at Beechholme for ten years between 1925 and 1935.

September 2008 - Thanks to Valerie Kassl (nee Baker) who wrote in enquiring about her father Edward Henry Gent . Valerie also describes the process of obtaining his records.

August 2008 - Thanks to James Daly who wrote about his time at Beechholme (1945 -1956) . James lists a few of the names he recalls from that time.

April 2008 - Thanks to Susan Furlong nee Charlott (Laurel) who wrote about her time at Beechholme (1960 -1967) . She was only 3 months old when she first went there and in her own words "I would love to be in some kind of contact with people who might be able to put some meaning into my early years having spent time there as well".

Jan 2008 - Thanks to June Brown (Acacia and Hazel) who spotted herself in one of our pictures and has clear memories (1951 -1964) of her 13 years at Beechholme. June now lives in Canada.

Nov 2007 - Thanks to Philip Condon (via Peter Eliot) for his 1936 Group photo . Philip was at Beechholme for a few months that year.

Nov 2007 - Thanks to Clive Parish (Kerria) for his memories and photos from the late fifties and early sixties. Clive was at Beechholme with his three sisters Christine, Carol and Gwendoline Parish.

June 2007 - Thanks to Gillian Stile Los nee Stile (Acacia) for her memories from 1947 -1961 Gillian has sent in two photos of Mr Banner....but we're saving the best one for the book!

June 2007 - Thanks to Susan Darocha nee Hillen (Thistle) for her memories from the early 1950's Sue also sent in several photos...

24 March 2007 - Thanks to John Bonnette for his recollection from 1939 He well remembers his visits to the German dentist. He would say "Open your mouth vide Tommy", we were all Tommy to him...."

24 March 2007 - Thanks to Frank Heard (Maple) for his many many memories and names We visited Frank at his home in Dartford and he kept us entertained for about four hours with lots of funny and mischievous stories from his days at Beechholme.

24 January 2007 - Thanks to Clive Artingstall for a variety of memories of Fir and Acacia from the mid to late fifties. Clive also includes a different version of the Beecholme song.

Thanks to Mrs Leese (nee Gibbs) for her short update on Frank and Freda Gibbs. Fred was Housemaster of Fir during the 1950's.

Thank you to Bruce Grant who is looking for any information on Miss Barker who later became Mrs Day. Bruce sent us his memories of life at Beechholme .

Also thanks to Tom Cline (then Tom Graham) who was at Beechlome from 1964 - 1971 Rendall House, Cedar House. Tom has offered to send in his memories.

Keep them Coming!.............

** Scroll down for lots more Beechholme memories and photographs


** Star contribution to
BEECHHOLME project.**

Meet Jean Middleton. Jean contacted us after finding our piece on BEECHHOLME. For years she has kept a lot of her father's documents always thinking that one day they should be placed somewhere safe and retained as public archives. Well now they are, or will be after we have sorted through everything!

Jean's father was Frederick Cogan who was Deputy Superintendent at Beechholme and eventually had responsibility for closing down the school. Jean's parents looked after the kids in CEDAR house and Frederick Cogan completed a project on the history and the day to day running of Beechholme from 1880 to 1964. Jean's contribution includes minute books dating back to the early 1900s, a large book containing the Government regulations for such schools, numerous copies of THE BEECHHOLME MAGAZINE, photo negatives, plans, and even the original weather vane.

WHO IS GODFREY LAWSON?

Godfrey made this pot at Beechholme when he was only twelve years old. It was one of the items that Jean's father kept and Jean has now passed on to us.



We would love to return it to Godfrey.

If you knew him or know where he is now, mail the Webmaster .

We have had one lead on Godfrey suggesting that he was a friend of Ronke Phillips who is now a presenter on the TV programme London Tonight. So far we have not been able to contact her.

 

October 2008 - Memories from Helen Bowker about her mum, Vera Ida Washington. My name is Helen Bowker and my mum was at the school from 1925 until 1935 but she never knew who her mum and dad were. I only have her dad's name and I have been trying to find out anything I can about her although she has died now. I feel it is part of me also. My mum's name was Vera Ida Washington and the superintendent at that time was a C L G Raynor. I do have all her papers from the school but it is any contacts who may still be alive who knew her that I am trying to trace or any photo's that there may be with her on. I have looked through all the papers I have from the school and they are quiet vague. She appears to have gone to the school's hospital a few times and it then says returned to cottage. The address it gives is Fir Tree Road and most paperwork is signed by C L G Raynor as either headmaster and then superintendent. My mum did not say much about the school when she was alive as she was only five when she went in. She talked about a cottage and they all had chores to do. I am sorry I cannot tell you more but my mum only spoke about an aunt who was Alice Barrett who could have been her real mum, fetching her in and out of the home or one of Alice's other two sisters was her real mum. I do know that Alice Barrett was her aunt (or her mum) at 41 Fletcher Rd, Acton Green, Chiswick and her maiden name was Barnhouse which was my mothers mum's name as I have the birth certificate. The only thing is her mothers name is down as Ida Barnhouse and there was not an Ida in the family, only Alice, Elizabeth and Eliza so one has to be my mothers mum. A bit complicated I think.... Thank you. Anything that might crop up with your help would be great. Helen Bowker NOTE FROM THE WEBMASTER - Helen's mum is listed on a register of admissions we have which shows basic details as follows: DOB 17/12/19. Left the school to go "to trade" on the 28 March 1934 and presumably returned, to leave again on the 10 Oct 1935 to go into service. If you have any more information that could help Helen find out more about her mum please the webmaster.

October 2008 - Enquiry from Valerie Kassl about her father Edward Henry Gent/Baker. I am trying to find where my father was placed after he and his younger brother were removed from their family home in Chelsea somewhere around 1907 or thereafter. I understand that some indigent children from the Chelsea area were placed at Beechholme and was wondering if you could possibly check the old admissions register. My father died in 1955 when I was seventeen and he rarely spoke of his childhood, but did say that he was in a home in the South of England and his younger brother was placed somewhere in the North. My father: Edward Henry Gent born 24 Feb 1905 (GRO 1905 Mar Chelsea/1a/407). Although he was registered as Edward Henry Gent, he was always known as Edward Henry Baker (his mother's maiden name). My father's brother: Levi Arthur Gent born 10 Jun 1906 (GRO 1907 Mar Chelsea/1a/412). I looked into various sites on the web regarding Beechholme School - all very interesting but nothing (as far as I can see) pertaining to the period 1909 to 1921 (the time that my Dad and uncle were there) and I would like to know about the school and its residents. I was wondering if you know of any other folk whose parents were at Beechholme between 1909 and 1921, there should be quite a lot still around (I am 71 and still healthy and well). I would really like to hear from others whose parents were there at that time - maybe they knew my Dad and uncle - you never know. Any information you can supply will be very much appreciated.Thank you. Valerie Kassl (nee Baker) NOTE FROM THE WEBMASTER - The register we have covers a few years from 1933 onwards so we were unable to help Valerie directly however if you know anything about Beechholme between about 1910 and 1920 please mail the webmaster. Valerie describes the process of recovering her father's records: First I contacted the London Metropolitan Archives online with a short e-mail giving my name and address and relationship to whom I was looking for with Subject Line: Beechholme school, Banstead. I gave details of who I was researching - name, date and place of birth, last know location, etc. I also received a reply from The City of London enquiries service. It was a very straight forward process and the cost was about £30 - well worth it. I received a report giving some general information on Beechholme as well as my father's details - it took about 5-6 weeks to get the report. I suggest that anyone interested should first contact the London Metropolitan Archives. Lewis Wood, the BHRG webmaster has helpfully set up direct links below. These will open up a new blank e mail correctly addressed to the right place with a subject heading of "Beechholme Residential School records enquiry - ". Click here to start mail. Click here to start mail. Good luck with your search. Val

August 2008 - Memories from James Daly. Greetings to you all Have just found your web site and that brought up many happy memories so will try and add to the story. I was known as James (Pug) Daly born 7-10-1940 and I lived in Banstead School (Beechholme) from 1945-1956 then sent home ?? My younger brother and sisters also spent some time there, Keith, Carol and Yvonne. They went home earlier as far as I can remember. Some of the staff that I recall are Raynor, Banner, Kelly (also his dog Rex) and Miss Nichols. Some of the kids' names were Tony Sharp, Ivor Brinkman, Diane Willams, John Longa and Danny Green. We all were quarantined for a time with Polio but we all came good. The things to do and the places that we went made for many happy days. Reading the letters on your site are very much as I recall. I have no photos anymore - all lost on life's travels. Best regards James Daly NOTE FROM THE WEBMASTER - James also provided his email and contact details and would also like to hear from anyone who remembers him. Please reply via the webmaster.

April 2008 - Memories from Susan Charlott (now Mrs Susan Furlong). Pictures to follow. Quite by chance I have found this site . I am really pleased, as it establishes the fact that I did not dream the past and that it really did exist. I went to Beechholme in December 1960 when I was just three months old. I stayed there on and off with my brother and sisters, eventually leaving for the last time in June or July 1967. My brother's name is Kenneth, then there is Carol, myself, Judith who passed away in 2006, Lorraine and Chrysella. Someone may remember our names hopefully. I have a memory of standing in the playing area listening to trains passing by and willing them to stop and take me home. The house that we stayed in as I remember it, was very small and dark. I can remember going to the hospital which was at the end of the street we were on and seeing a baby in a cot who had been badly burned. For some strange reason this has always stayed with me and helped I suppose to see that what I saw as a bad life was really much better than what that baby had to endure. The house mother's name where we stayed was Violet. She used to like us to help in the kitchen podding fresh peas. I can remember too that porridge was always served for breakfast and without any help. I hated it. We were always told that we should think ourselves lucky to be looked after so well. I can remember that there was a Town Hall at the top of the street and if we had been good we could go on Sunday and collect ice cream from there and take it back for dinner. The Town Hall as I call it, may well have been the Administration building; it just seemed very grand to me as a child. I remember the swimming baths and being really scared of the place. We had small dorm like rooms and they had partitioned walls that you could see over if on the top bunk bed. I remember leaving the site once and seeing some of the big wall that we had been inside. I stayed in this place between 1963 and 1967. I cannot remember the name of the house that I was in but my memory tells me that the houses were named after trees or flowers. I can remember that the road was pretty and tree lined. I would like to read about this place as it did play a big part in my early life. I would like to be able to say that I remember Beechholme fondly however this would not be true. I find myself now looking back on what could be described as a transient life. We would arrive at the home and leave the home all without warning. I think that from an early age I must have chosen not to be noticed and as a result, I feel that I existed in the shadows. I remember that the place I felt most at ease was sitting on the fire escape of the hospital. I was given a play nurses outfit as a present I seem to remember so I must have spent some part of my birthday at the home. I can remember eating apples that had fallen from trees; an awful stomach ache was the result of that escapade. Needless to say I never did that again. I can remember one visit by my mother to the home when she brought Milk Tray chocolates but she would not come in. I also remember getting a huge doll in a box that had discs to put in the back to make it talk. This was for Christmas so we must have been there over a Christmas time. In September 1967, my mother committed suicide and as a result we went into care full time to a place called Dorney towers in Swiss Cottage London. I left care at the age of 15 and went to live with my dad then went on to work for Camden council for a time in a residential unit for adults with learning and physical disabilities. Leaving there I became employed by the Jewish Blind Society until making my move to Hillingdon where I now live and until recently was employed by Hillingdon Council as a senior day center officer. I now have a thirteen year old son attending secondary school. I do have photos and will send them on to you. I would love to have the names of the houses and be in some kind of contact with people who might be able to put some meaning into my early years having spent time there as well. If anyone who spent time there can remember me or my mother's visit or my doll (it was big) please get in touch. Maybe I did not dream it. Many thanks. Mrs Furlong (Miss Susan Charlott at time of living in home) NOTE FROM THE WEBMASTER - For Susan and others who may want a list of the house names, here they are: Acacia, Almond, Ash, Beech, Cedar, Chestnut, Drake, Elm, Fir, Hazel, Jasmine, Laburnum, Laurel, Larch, Lavender, Lime, Maple, Oak, Pine, Rendel, Rowan or Roedean, Thistle and Willow. Susan's photos will be added as soon as I receive them. 21 April 2008.

January 2008 - Memories from June Brown. Hi, My name is June Brown, I went to Beechholme at the age of 4 in 1951, I was in Acacia with Gillian Los (Styles), Miss Hawkins was the house parent. The first four years of my life were happy and my mother was a loving Mum, according to my Aunt Rose. I think that had something to do with how I turned out. Unfortunately she had a weak heart and having five children took its toll. She died during a Hysterectomy operation when she was three months pregnant with her sixth child. Then my dad had T.B. so had to go into a sanatorium. He refused to allow our mother's friends and relatives to take us so we landed up in Beechholme. I was very lonely and lacked love and affection in Beechholme but at the same time I was cared for, fed and protected from harm. I vividly remember that first day, I was very scared, they took off my clothes, cut my hair and told me to stop crying or else! I ended my stay in Hazel House with the Simmons; they were strict and spiteful, I never heard from them once I left in 1964. My sisters Brenda and Barbara and brothers John and David also lived there, we were together on and off. The group photo was taken in May 1958 and my brother David is the boy behind the boy third from the left. Like many others, I too remember getting my hair cut short, going to the dentist and being gassed when they pulled my teeth. I remember being in the sick bay, hiding the medication under my pillow because I didn't know how to swallow it and I liked being fussed over there and didn't want to go back to Acacia house. I remember playing outside a lot, climbing fruit trees and eating hard apples and plums. I also had a job, arranging the flowers for the church, I had to pick them and I really enjoyed doing this, can still remember the smell of them and the pride I felt on Sundays. I sang in the Choir briefly, also was in the brownies at Beechholme, where I learnt to knit and got an award for having the nicest finger nails! I remember jumping down the stairs at the infant school and badly spraining my ankle. Also going to the London Hospital to get checked for T.B as my dad had the disease. I remember getting my tonsils out, being very scared and alone at the hospital. I helped to look after the younger children when I was 11 years on. I remember Mr Banner. He was tall, good looking and cared for us, he listened very well. I remember Mrs Banner and her sweet baby who was born blind I think and died, I remember feeling very sad about it. I was also friends with Ann for a short time, I was quite jealous when she was adopted by the Banners, couldn't think why they didn't choose me! Ha, ha. I have been looking through the Banstead history site and think I am in the House Parade 1962 picture, standing beside Yvonne McCarthy to the left. I would have been 14 then and I recognise my sad face, and big feet! Ha, ha. I would love to find Yvonne as we were quite good friends at Hazel house. She used to punch me on my upper arm when we had a disagreement! I went to Stowlangtoft Hall in East Anglia when I left Beechholme, then went to Widbury Nursery in Ware, Herts to train as a nanny. Brenda (Rose) got married when she was 19, they immigrated to Canada. In 1967 her mother-in-law looked me up and asked me to consider coming to Canada to keep Brenda company. Although I wasn't close to Brenda I had a desire to get to know her again so when I finished my training I also immigrated here. Brenda's mother-in-law paid my way with my promise that I would stay for two years. I soon settled, met my husband and got married in 1970, we had four children and now have three grandchildren! I often feel disconnected and out of place with society, having no roots.( I think having children of my own has helped me feel more grounded in life, I worked hard to give them the security that I lacked.) When I left Beechholme, becoming a Nanny seemed the best route for me, I was following Brenda in a way. I have always been aware of children's rights and needs and have a strong desire to protect them from harm. It took some education and practise to learn how to do it right though, as I found myself being harsh at times! I have spent my life caring for children, making sure that their early years are happy ones. I think my experience in Beechholme taught me what not to do with children!!! I realize that the LCC did the best they could, having hundreds of displaced children to care for so I hold no grudges, in fact I am thankful to them for all the good things, like going to big parties put on be U.S. soldiers, sports days, pantomimes, talent shows, Sunday cakes and pocket money, to name a few!! I have been trying to get my files from the London Archives but so far they cannot find them. I would love to see what was said about me in those early years. I am now in touch with Gillian. Brenda, who is now Rose, and I live in Canada, John and David (see photo) are in England and Barbara is in Scotland. I am looking forward to getting a copy of the updated book when it is published as I already have the original Beechholme booklet. Thank you so much. Sincerely, June Brown. June also sent in the following photos. Group at Colwyn Bay Tea in the garden at Lime

Nov. 2007 - Contact from Philip Condon (via Peter Eliot). This photo was taken on a trip to Sandown Isle of White in the summer of 1936. Philip Condon is the boy in the bottom left corner (squinting). He is 81 now and lives in Whonnock, BC, Canada.(Nov 2007) He was in the home for about 6 months in 1936 as a temporary orphan. I sent him a letter out of the blue and in reply he sent me the only photo in his collection. Best regards, Peter

Nov 2007 - Contact from Clive Parish received November 2007. I would love to tell you a few stories of the home and also name a few of the people in some of the pictures. The photograph of me shown on the right was taken on the playing fields at the home, when I had just arrived there. I was taken into the home at the age of four years and I still do not know why my mother was unfit to keep the seven children; only three did not go into the home, one a baby boy, was adopted and the elder two remained at home. I and three of my sisters, Christine, Carol and Gwendoline were taken to the home direct from school one day. The girls spent a lot of time with foster parents in and out of Beechholme whilst I remained there till I was about 16 when I got a job with British Rail. Looking through the photographs on the BHRG site and Peter Eliot's website, I recognize some of the staff but I'm not sure of their names. I have a picture of one houseparent on a caravan holiday, and also two of the boys who were in my house which was at that time Kerria. The boys' names were, Henry Vaughan and Eugene Plange (spellings could be incorrect here). The house parent was a new one and I can't think of his name. The picture was taken on holiday at Great Yarmouth Caravan Park; we were all catching eels there. I would have been around 10 so it was about 1962. I knew a Brian Murphy, a Frank Merrit, a Dilly Brammer, a Tina Paige, and the Simmons, house parents in Hazel, as they were very very strict. Pete Mctavish took over from the Johnsons, Jean and Peter, when they left. I remember Mr Kimber the barber, as he was more than rough and the only hair style he knew was the pudding basin style hence us boys looked stupid. I remember spending a long time in the hospital wing as I had yellow jaundice for some time. I can remember this as if it were yesterday, as the dragons of nurses ate all my Easter eggs leaving me not one. The matron used to torment us kids with her dog. Lumpy porridge we ate or went hungry. Corporal punishment was an every day occurrence if bad or not. Maybe the staff, some of them anyway, got a thrill out of the abuse they gave some of us kids. I remember Mr Banner and his beloved rubber plant and his fireman hats too. One punishment was polishing them. The female members of staff would get the male members of staff to give the punishment out: example: Aunty Joy Walker, in I think Larch or Acacia house told Mr Johnson when he came in I'd sworn at her. He did no more than pick up the metal hoover pipe and whack me with it so hard around the face, then grabbing me by the hair dragged me upstairs punched me in the face piked me up and threw me on the bed. I was cut and bruised all over. I remained in bed till late the next day so also had no tea, no breakfast, no dinner or supper the next day either. When my father came down at the weekend I was not allowed to see him as punishment. This is in my head like a magnet as this was just one of many beatings I took - this one only mild to what other things I endured and I can assure you I was not the only one to have this treatment. The fact was that my not seeing my father was really to cover up what was going on. He was told I had been moved next door to 'Drake' (?) and we had all gone out for the day, to avoid him seeing the cuts and bruises. Others were told I had fallen down the stairs. This form of abuse lasted many years until he left to take a new job at Throwley Road in Sutton, same type of position in a children's home. I remember the beanstalk very well. This was our quick get away from any staff chasing us for whatever reasons. The best memories were in fact holidays, as once away from the home they seemed to leave you alone and you got no beatings then. My sister Gwendoline is included in Peter Eliots picture of Miss Walker's class b primary. She is the one in the middle of the three sitting alongside Evelyn on the left and Elaine on the right. Peter also has a picture taken of my other sister, Carol, whilst on holiday. She is the girl in the rubber swim ring. On holiday, I went swimming most days and also enjoyed sports days back at Beechholme. I remember the gym as we went to club night there, Tuesdays and Fridays. Mr Banner came in one Friday and closed the gym as President Kennedy had just been shot. I used to climb the fence on Derby day to watch the cars go by. Once on my way to the primary school, I was just doing what boys do, climbing, and cut my leg badly on a broken tap with no top on. I still have the scar today. Just a bit about what I've done since Beechholme. I started work in the signal box at Sutton station; it had always been an ambition of mine to drive trains you see. I worked my way up from there till I was driving trains from Norwood junction. I drove freight trains for many years then I went on to the new diesel trains but had a reaction to the diesel which finally left me seeking other work, so sadly my train driving career ended then and I still miss them. I then worked as a self employed decorator for a while to keep myself in work as I hate doing nothing at all. Later,I got work with a company when the market was slow for my trade. I drove a Multi drop on the open road which I enjoyed very much and I was there for many years till I was involved in a road traffic accident - not my fault I might add. This left me unable to return to work again now I just doodle around indoors all day with time on my hands, the mind's willing, the body unable. I had a large family myself as big families are fun the only thing is I am told I spoilt my kids a bit as I felt they needed what I never had. They grew up gave me and the wife twenty two grandkids, some we see, some sadly we do not, but life goes on all the same. Enclosed is a picture of me here. It's not great as I don't do photos of myself much. Well let me see, yes back to the home now. There was lots went on in the home, even scandal like a lad getting a houseparent pregnant. Goodness in those days that was a scandal especially as she was married. The abuse continued and even seemed it might come to a end as a few houseparents tried to bring it out into the open yet it seemed to me that they were quickly moved on. I can recall one night being dragged from our beds and taken downstairs to the kitchen as someone, not me on this occasion, had eaten a great chunk of Mrs Johnsons cake. No one, we were told would leave till someone owned up. I was so tired I fell asleep on my feet and awoke to a crash, having hit the deck on the kitchen floor which was stone, and cold too. I had a bump on my head and it hurt for days. Some of us boys would take the blame just to go back to bed sometimes even when we were not involved. A group of us lads would abscond to the field where we would climb the fence and run off onto Epsom Downs, or to Banstead Woods, or to the local quarry in Banstead which was the railway yard depot. We would play there for hours. We went on a Sat morning to the Curzon in Epsom. Saturday morning flicks cost sixpence and we would take it in turns, one pay to go in and open the fire exit door to let the others in and all spend the sixpence sharing with who ever paid of course. Wicked but great adventures all the same and we were after all away from the home for a bit. We did a paper round and Mr Apps the local news agent in Nork Way used to come down the home to check we were all up, shining his little torch in your face. We got paid for this but had to save most of it for our holidays. Pocket money was for me started off at tuppence increasing each birthday by a penny. Out of this, a penny was taken back to pay for your holidays etc. With the other penny I'd go to The Chocolate Box in Nork and spend it on sweets; hence no teeth now! We went to judo with a house parent all cramped in a little mini about as many as she could fit in, even with your face squashed up the back window, no seat belt then. We were not allowed to thumb lifts and I remember a house parent coming back from Epsom one time with a group of us kids. She thumbed a lift as we had missed the bus but was seen and reported she then left, (sacked). That's one thing, they were certainly hot on with the staff. Christmas in the home - you got a lump of coal, an orange, an apple,an old used toy car made of tin, and odds and ends of no use. The coal I used to think would bring me luck but was soon to change my mind as we had to put it in the coal bucket anyway. So really I can't work out what the coal meant. We would go to pantomimes and shows, all good fun which made a change from listening to Jimmy Young on the radio all day long. Television was Dr Who, and Dr Kildare but we only watched them to try and stay up a little later as we when we were told to go to bed, we would say "Oh please let us wait till the next interval". Well as you guessed, they never had no intervals anyway but as the staff mainly stayed in the kitchen or office they did not cotton on to that one for a while. Programmes at the time were Ready Steady Go, Coronation Street, oh how times have changed. Mind you I can say I would not want to go back there either. Well even with the abuse that certainly went on there, and in a big way too, I thought much like the other kids who taught us little ones try stay out of trouble. I must admit I did rebel a lot but I was a lad and certainly did not like all the rules. Beechholme was awful in the first early years but I would agree with many others it did change for the better I guess when Mr Banner came in there. He was a fair do sort of guy although in them days if you'd asked me what I thought, I'm quite sure what my reply would have been. I also was the C Parish (2nd line up on the right hand panel) on the stained glass window as I helped with the window. I was rather sad when the church was destroyed as we had to then go to another church in Banstead. The Times Educational Supplement dated 20th November 1964 wrote that the windows consisted of two 15ft. high panels, both 2ft. wide. depicting St. Francis and the animals, and St. James the fisherman apostle. All Mrs. David’s pupils were involved in its making. For more information and photographs of the Church and windows visit Peter Eliot's site. We all had chores to do like polishing the shoes till your face shined in them like a damn mirror. If they were not clean then you'd do them again, till they were. I'm sure that's why I only wear trainers today you know. Another job was to get the coal in and you did not mind doing this in the winter as it gave you a few extra moments by the fireside, as unless toasting toast there, you were pretty cold. Itchy blankets - I remember those very well, and night watch ha ha. A few boys would raid the larders looking for food as we were always hungry, On several occasions I went too, but if you got caught, man you were in trouble, big trouble, but the idea was do not get caught. Days in the home came and went, new faces appearing all the time, and it was a bit like a pecking order I guess, the bigger boys at the younger ones, so you soon learnt all the ropes and how to fend for yourself to survive life there. You had to learn to watch each other's back as bullying did not happen so much then from other kids. It was more of a status type thing in them days. The only bullying I can recall was from the house parents, well some of them, Good times were sports days and the run up to them. I would get up early to go running to Epsom and back, straight into the pool on the return and then in to the cottage for breakfast, which on those days was good as you could have two bowls full of the lumpy cold porridge or even egg and beans. So if you were into sports you were ok then for a bit as the house parents did like to win. That was Pete Macavish. He would follow us to Epsom in his car which I believe was a mark 1 white escort which we all had to clean for him too. Another thing which sticks in my mind was the police constable from Banstead. He used to come around the home in his Black Maria and give us rides in the back of it as he was a good friend of Pete MacTavish. Although a good copper he was not my friend at all! My girlfriend there was called Tina Paige, but as lads do when she was not around I'd have another girlfriend on hand. The domestic staff that were employed there were very good to us all. I got on very well with them all and two in particular. One was (Jean) Poppy Callaghan who did a lot of cooking and some cleaning too and who I still see today, as when I got married it turned out she was the mother of my wife's best friend, so we keep in contact. Jean is getting on now but still we relive old happy memories together. The other lady, Doreen Crosby was another domestic there. She used to give us fags as we would not leave her alone till we got one. They were the happier sides of life in the home. I'd like to just recap here. Children in the orchard were not retards as it's been described; they just went there while awaiting places in the secondary school, and most of us just lacked a mother's love. I do vaguely remember Mr Banner's daughter but from what I can remember, she was not really allowed to mix with us kids. I remember her big flowery dresses and bows in her hair walking holding her mother hand down The Avenue. Life rolled on for us all in Beechholme, and even though my sisters were sometimes there, we did not spend as much time as we would have liked to, with each other and now even after all these years its hard to try get back what you lost - family life, real family life. We drift in and out each others life now and then yet I cant help thinking if its the past that really does keep us segregated so to speak. My elder brother turned his life completely around after Beechholme. I can't help wondering if he too has the ghosts in a closet as most of us did back then. It pains me still now to think of all those nasty not mentioned things that went on behind closed doors. My brother as I say went on to become well known as a wrestler. I looked up to him then. He is my big bro still even though we don't see much of each other now. He became Johnny Kincaid, and that too is another story and is his to tell. He has written a book about his life which includes his early years at Beechholme. This is just but a small memory of my time in Beechholme but I am going to put down my experiences on paper and I will send them on to you. Well on that note I'm going to say cheerio, love to here from anyone who may remember me. Mind they need to be patient as I said before; I will reply to e mails but need time as I do not know nothing of the computer age as such. As I was more a physical man myself can't spell either. Cheers Clive . NOTE FROM WEBMASTER - It's the memories that are important Clive, not the spelling. If you remember the Parish kids let us know by mailing the Webmaster . He always replies! In the meantime we have suggested that Clive contacts the London Metropolitan Archives where most of the archives from Beechholme are retained.

Jun 2007 - Contact from Gillian Stile (Now Gillian Stile Los). I was in Beechholme from 1947 until 1961 (2 years old until 16) I spent my entire childhood there. I saw it change from its Dickensian mode to a more family friendly place after the arrival of Mr Geoffrey Banner as Superitendent I have some snap shots of people and buildings. Please contact me if you think I could shed some light on the history of Beechholme. Gillian Stile Los. As always, the webmaster quickly replied and Gillian then sent in the following: I have written a brief synopsis of how Mr Banner turned things around for Beechholme. I have also sent you three photographs. The one on the right is me at age 7, one of Mr & Mrs Banner ( to be included in the new book)and one of me with Mr. Banner in 1987. I read Frank Heard’s letter and decided it pretty much sums up early life in Banstead Residential School in the early ‘50s. I was surprised to see my name among those he recalled as most of the names were of children in Maple House with him, I was in Acacia. It could be that I was hanging around Maple a lot because I had a crush on Johnny Martin. Prior to the mid 1950s Banstead Residential School was divided in half, all the houses to the right of the Staff House were known as the Boys’ end and were lettered with the exception of Rendal, and those to the left were known as the Girls’ end and were numbered from 1 to 14 with the exception of Rodean. Housemothers and Housefathers were referred to as Mr., Mrs. Or Miss with their surname added but usually it was just Miss or Sir. Every summer we went to camp for 2 weeks, this usually meant Dymchurch or Walton-on-the-Naze. I always went to Dymchurch. All the children had a packed kit bag, which included a sheet and pillowcase, and were loaded onto several green coaches that took us to our destination. The Dymchuch compound was a large military barracks complete with quonset huts which were furnished with canvas beds no more than six inches off the stone floor with a blanket and pillow on each bed. The last memory I have of Mr. Raynor, the superintendent, was during one of our weekly (Winter season) picture shows that were shown in the Gym. Mr. Raynor had the movie projector shut down and the lights put on as he walked to the stage and said” Girls and boys I have good news, war in Korea has ended”, I didn't know what Korea meant but I cheered along with all the others if only to have the picture show resume. In 1954 Mr. Raynor retired and Mr. Geoffrey Banner became our new superintendent; with him came many changes. The Boy’s end became the upper end and the Girls’ end the lower end, all houses were given names of trees and their doors painted in bright colors of either red, blue, yellow or green. Each cottage now housed boys and girls and, in most cases, brothers and sisters were housed together. Later years saw huge dormitories being partially separated into cubicles for the older children to give them privacy. Another big change was the Summer holidays, no more being shipped off to camp, we actually went to real seaside towns like Herne Bay, Hasting and Broadstairs to name a few and stayed at boarding houses like real families did, we even travelled there by train. House parents were now referred to as Aunt or Uncle followed by their first names and, sometimes, just their first name was used. Here are a few excerpts of some London County Council meetings that brought about some changes to Beechholme: April 4th, 1950 Approval for installation of electric lighting was given. April 24th, 1951 Banstead Residential School to be renamed Beechholme. This happened three years before the Banners arrived. April 29th, 1952 Provisions were made to install refrigerators. By December 2nd, 1952 there were a total of 448 children residing in Beechholme. November 6th, 1956 Approval was given for stripping and re tiling of roofs and at the same time internal cleaning, painting and plastering was approved. My information comes from reading the minutes of council meetings when I went to the London Archives in 2002. I reside in Burbank, California but visit Banstead every 2 years, next visit is July 2008. Gillian Stile Los ( last name rhymes with Close, as in near.) NOTE FROM WEBMASTER - Let us know when you are coming over and we'll arrange to meet up for a coffee and chat over old times.

Contact from Susan Hillen (Now Susan Darocha) received June 2007. Hi, for year I have tried to get information about Beechholme and could not find out anything and now I have found the BHRG and Peter Eliot's websites. I was there in 1953 age 5 with my brother Danny Hillen. My name is Susan Hillen and we lived in cottage 13 later known as Thistle. I had a hard time finding the location of Beechholme. For years I was looking, and now its' too late to go and see it. I never realised how near to London it was. One of the first things I remember was standing on a chair having my long red hair cut short up to my ears like a bowl on my head. All of us girls had this style and it was really awful. The picture on the right shows me with my rotten hair cut. I look back now and think ...what did they do to us?. I remember the dentist and the surgery next door when the dentist put on the black mask on my face with the gas. I was always pushed to be first. I can remember some names the first being Sandra and Valerie Ali who were sisters and Maxine Cardigan who used to sleep next to me. She had to roll up the carpet as soon as she woke up. In the bedroom she used to jump from side to side because she wanted to go wee first but couldn't. I can't remember what little job I had back in those days. Danny, my brother was in Thistle as well. I can't remember anyone else in Thistle and no one seems to have written in about it. I don't remember the house mother or whatever they was called. I remember Charlotte she was about 18 I think and was was a helper or maid (skivvy). I don't even remember going to school even though I was there from the age of about five until about nine. I was in the brownies as I can remember the uniform but that's it. I think I might be in the photos sent in by Priscilla Bradley (see Peter's website). Perhaps you could let me know the date they were taken. Also the picture of the four young men - I remember Peter Sharp. I have sent in the few photos I have. I remember the Beechholme song and getting out of bed in the middle of the night for fire drill. Also at one point I was sitting out on the window ledge in the night, I must have been a sleep walker. I also remember playing out the back of the house playing blind man's bluff. It was my turn and one of the others took off the manhole cover and guided me to fall into it. I don't know if I was hurt badly - that's a blur. If any one remembers doing this to me I would like to know why. I think that was the most fun some of them had. This group photo must have been taken when we went on holiday but I don't remember it or any holidays, but the name Dimchurch does ring a bell. I'm the one half behind the little boy in white short trousers. The two Indian girls where Sandra and Valarie Ali, Valarie being the smaller one. We did not live far from one another when we left Beechholme and her dad had a Indian cafe in Aldgate, which must have been the first of its kind; now there are hundreds around Brick Lane and I love to find them too. That's my brother in front of the boy at the very back. He has dark hair and his name is Danny Hillen. He lives in France now. Sorry, I don't know any other names but we must have all been from Thistle cottage. I would love to hear from anyone shown in any of these pictures. In the picture of the five children, I Susan Hillen am in the middle. My brother Danny, is top right. I cannot remember the name of the other boy or even if the others were at Beechholme, but the girls were Catherine and Elizabeth. They might have been from Lilly Rd in Fulham. I recall no 49 perhaps. The next photo is of me and mum on one of her visits when she used to take me to Ann's cafe. I can't remember what I used to have. How I wish I had more photos. If you know of any photos that show Susan Hillen or her brother please send them to the Webmaster who will be very pleased to add them here and send copies to Susan who longs to receive more pictures of herself when she was young.

Contact from John Bonnette received March 2007 I and my two sisters came to Beechholme in 1939 on the death of our mother. Then it was known as The Banstead Residential School. On arrival we were separated, I to the infants' section, my sisters to the girls' section. I was evacuated twice, once to Reigate Surrey and once to Helston in Cornwall. My sisters and I were billeted at different addresses in Reigate. My sisters stayed in Reigate and I returned to Beechholme and stayed until I was fourteen years old. I still remember the layout of the school. You came through the main gate and immediately on the left was the head master's house, with a big yew tree in the garden. The headmaster was Mr Rayner and I had the cane off him a few times. To the right was a staff house. You then came to a T junction. In front was the administration building, to the right and left was The Avenue which was lined on both sides with cottages. Why they were called cottages I don't know, as they each housed two large dormitories, a bathroom that held I think four baths and as many wash basins. Also on the ground floor, was the house mothers' room, and a large kitchen. At the back of each cottage was the WC and an outhouse, there was no inside WC. At night, a bucket was housed between the two dormitories, for the use of the boys. The boys were all housed in cottages to the right of the administration building, each cottage called A, B and C and so on up to K which was the senior boys with A being the youngest. As you grew older so you moved up The Avenue. Prior to leaving I was in Rendal which was on the other side of the road to K cottage. There were two house mothers to each cottage, I can remember the ones in K were Miss Kirtell who ruled with a rod of iron and a Miss Doulgleash, who was a bit nicer. In Rendal I think it was a Miss Coates, but I'm not sure. Down the girls' end which was left at administration building, the cottages were the same as the boys'on the right. Following on from the administration building was the school where Miss Tibbs used to slap my legs with a ruler as I wasn't much of a scholar. Then Cottages on both sides till you got to the bottom. Rodean, the senior girls building, was the last. Opposite that was the infirmary. I remember the dentist would visit the infirmary;I think he was German. He would say "Open your mouth vide Tommy", we were all Tommy to him. The worst part was sitting waiting for your turn and hearing the the boy in front yelling, and knowing you were next. Beyond the infirmary was a large field used for sports day and other events. I was in the brass band. The band room was at the far end of the boys section alongside of the gymnasium. I remember band practice was three nights a week, and you had to go. I wonder if there are any old boys left out there who will remember me. I'm seventy three years old now so I suppose its a bit much to ask. Still ya never know. NOTE FROM THE WEBMASTER - Well John, your wish is our command, and within 24hrs, our friend in Aussie land, Peter Eliot, supplied us with this picture of the brass band taken in 1947,originally sent in by Vincent Phillips. Thank you Peter. John is the second boy from the right in the front row. The man two to the left of John is none other that Mr Rayner himself. Don't forget to visit Peter's web site which has many more Beechholme Photos.

From Frank Heard 3 March 2007. Frank writes - originally I was from Stepney, East London. At the age of six, I was sent to Woodvale in West Norwood but I kept absconding at every opportunity, so in 1951 I was transferred to Beechholme. First of all I went to the boys' end; in through the gates, turn right up the Avenue and I believe I was put in the first cottage on the right (I can't remember the name!). After quite a struggle I eventually started going to the junior school, which is one of your photos. The only teacher's name I can recall from there was a Miss Clegg, and my favorite teacher Mr Nichols. I think around the mid fifties the cottages became mixed, boys and girls hence my move down to 'Maple'. The house mother at that time was Miss Quinlan, a ferocious woman to say the least. She would get great joy from knocking us kids about for the smallest misdemeanor. Her assistant was a Miss Sunderland, equally fearsome but not quite such a bully. I remember well the chores kids aged 12 and above had to do, making all the beds (properly) otherwise they would all be stripped and we would be made to do them all again. Likewise, polishing all the pairs of shoes, polishing the lino floor, washing up etc etc. In spite of this my life improved from the age of 12 when I started secondary school at Sutton. I'd catch the 164 bus outside the main gate for the daily journey to school. The big love of my life soon became Sutton United. I'd watch them at every opportunity I could. It was like an obsession. I'd get the money for this by washing Mr Banner's car every Saturday morning, a Morris 10. I took great pride in my work and would receive one shilling and sixpence to go with my sixpence pocket money each week, providing I'd been good! At this time I was also in the brass band, playing the euphonium. We used to play on sports day as well as taking part in the sports events. I was also in the scouts and even some of the Christmas shows. I quite enjoyed this time of my life. In my early years at Beechholme, our holidays were alternate trips to Dymchurch(St Mary's bay) and Walton-on-the-Naze, which I liked. From 12 years onwards we'd go to North Wales, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay and Landuddno. We really enjoyed these holidays. My main love from the age of 12 was playing football most evenings a week on the 'lower field', just past the sick bay and the dreaded dentist. Some of the kids that played were Barry Watts, Roy Hiscock, Alan Moth, Terry Butler and Peter Metcalf. I also played for the 'home' team Beechholme on the 'top' sports field in our black and white hooped shirts. I remember scoring a hat-trick away to Banstead Hall boys where we won 4-1. Mr Jarrot or Jarrow was our trainer, happy days. Opposite 'Maple'there were five lovely sisters (the Fillinghams) Sandra, Julie, Diane, Jackie and Susan. I think the house was 'Labernum' although I can't be sure. The picture of the church is easily recognisable as was Mr Kimber the short back and sides specialist!. I remember the harsh winters and trying to get the sheets off the line when they had been left out to dry all day and were as stiff as cardboard. I remember being woken around 1.00 am, getting up bleary eyed for fire drill, lining up in the hallway downstairs to be counted. Some of the boys would be steaming where they had just wet the bed. The porridge was cooked the night before and heated up in the morning and served for breakfast, thick skin and big lumps! I still heave today even thinking about it. My two younger sisters, Flo and Rose, came down to the home in the late fifties. I don't remember which cottage they were in . By then, younger housemothers were coming in. In Maple we had a really nice thirty something Irish lady, a Miss McDermottt, so different from the previous ones. On Sundays she'd let us older kids come into the staff room to listen to Radio Luxembourg Rock'N'Roll etc. we loved it. I could go on and on with so many stories, it would be a book in itself, but I'll give a few more names which I recall, Anita and Valarie Reigns, Carol Hislop, Jackie Howe, Gillian Stiles, Dave Gibbons, John Martin and the band master Mr Ward. I recall Derby day, hanging over the fence down the lower field watching the coaches chug up from the drift bridge, and throwing coins for us kids. I remember the Italian Tailor (in the home) who used to taper our trousers for us so we could be like young Teddy Boys. The square dances and film shows at the Gym, the Bedford lorry that used to carry foodstuffs around as well as take us scouts to Aldermasten for our camping holiday. We'd often help the tractor driver transfer logs from the top field to the lower field on a trailer. I remember the name Beaky who was supposed to have hung around in the woods leading up to Banstead Station. Visiting days were every second Sunday from 2 till 4 pm, also the grey clothes we had to wear. I forgot to mention earlier, Diane was my first girlfriend, although I used to fancy her sister Julie as well. The only TV we ever watched,(the older kids)was on a Sunday evening. Half an hour of Bruce Forsyth and 'Beat the clock' followed by 'Highway Patrol' also half an hour. The radio programmes Journey into Space and Dick Barton. I remember having gas at the dentist and still feeling sick and giddy two days later. I have many stories from my time at Beechholme to tell. I really do hope to hear from you again and anyone else to do with this theme. I don't have any knowledge of computers and can only communicate by letter or phone - I've sent the only photo of myself from those days, sorry its a bit scratched up. Best wishes Frank Heard NOTE FROM THE WEBMASTER - I have cleaned up the original to a reasonable state. Frank wrote again in the most beautiful and neat handwriting. The original picture shows Frank aged 15 at Sutton West secondary Boys School. (1959) If you are mentioned in this letter, do let us know. We went to see Frank and have recorded several hours of stories and fantastic memories. If you would like to get a message to Frank, mail it to me and I will pass it on. If you would like to write to him directly, let me know and I will advise you of his address. The picture on the right shows Frank in 2007, older maybe, but there is no mistaking the glint in his eye as he recounts his amorous adventures at Beechholme.

December 2006 and January 2007. Jean Middleton gave us an old envelope with a handful of negatives. Ralph, the BHRG secretary has brought them back to life for all to see. Jean was the daughter of Frederick Cogan who was Deputy Superintendent at Beechholme when Don Dicker was the Superintendent. Are you in any of the photographs? Do you recognise anyone? Do they bring back any memories? Do you know Godfrey Lawson? We have his pot! Let us know and your contribution could be included in our forthcoming book on Beechholme. Mail the Webmaster.....He ALWAYS replies!
		Cricket at Beechholme Labelled 'Beechholme under canvas' in Fred Cogan's book. Peter Eliot writes - I think that the young chap with the cricket bat is me. I compared it to the group photo and it was obviously taken at the same time and has some of the same people (children), so that convinces me. The left eyebrow proves it for me! - webmaster
		At the seaside.
		Jean says "The picture does not include me as I was in my 20's when we were at Beechholme. My dad, Fred Cogan is at the rear and mum is on the left of the picture." The staff member (blonde) was called Caroline. Trevor and Valerie are the 2 children behind the two at the front.
		Trevor and Santa.
		Jean says "In my Dad's book, the Sports Day picture is dated 1963."
		Cedar Boys
		Aunt Joyce and Aunt Ann. Surnames ?
		Camping..but where? Peter Eliot says "I'm confident that is was taken at Walton on the Naze and the 'castle' is actually a church. I am fairly confident that the year of this holiday camp was 1954 or 1955 Also two other photos,'Cricket at Beechholme' and the 'group' photo would have been taken there too".
		Is this a group of children from Cedar House?... Now that Jean has seen the photos that we produced from her father's negatives, she has come back to us with more information on the people in the photographs. Jean think's that this was Trevor's birthday party. Trevor is not in this picture but see below.
		Happy birthday dear....who? happy birthday Trevor says Jean. We think the girl on the left is Ethel Johnson and Peter Eliot is now trying to contact her.
		The House Parade 1962 Where you at Beechholme then? Jean has given us a banner from Cedar House. "I think the banner was probably made by my Mother" says Jean, " She was always sewing and knitting, a talent passed on to me as one of my hobbies is quilting." Did Mrs Cogan teach you how to sew? Tell us about it. Bruce Grant tells us "My house was Kerria. In the photo of sports day you can just make me out holding the house flag." Roger Armstrong (Fir) says " I think that the boy holding the banner is David Broome, the boy to his left with the crewcut is Roy Stagg. The black boy is Rowland Jones."
		Jean says "The snow picture of the Avenue could be 1963/64. I think the mini bus was my Dad's,he bought it in order to take the children on outings. It looks as if it is parked outside Cedar."
		This is Jean's mum, Mrs Cogan of CEDAR house, at the ironing board - Quite a task!
		Who is the shoe repairer? Peter Eliot thinks that the shoe mender is Mr Manger and Ann Read daughter of Mr and Mrs Banner has confirmed this. What else happened in this workshop?
		Who are the individuals in this group photo? Peter Eliot was quick off the mark, he says "I got a fantastic surprise when I viewed the group photo. The light haired lady in the background is Miss Wulff the housemother from Chestnut (previously called cottage 5). The dark haired boy close to her extreme left is myself. The dark haired boy sitting on the ground in the centre is my little brother Edward. The only other name I have right now is the fair haired boy standing, that looks as though he is talking to the boy with the ball, may be John Sands.
		The Chapel of the Good Shepherd. Was there a Roll of Honour in this Chapel? So far we have been unable to find a list of young Beechholme men who were casualties of the two wars.
		Who is the Barber? Did he cut everyone's hair or did the house parents do it? Peter Eliot tells us that the haircutter was Mr Kimber. Jean says"In the hair cutting photo my mum (Mrs Cogan) is in the background, Gordon Steed is having his hair cut and (birthday boy)Trevor is waiting patiently. Bruce Grant remembers the hairdresser who came and cut our hair one day and left a boy's hair half cut because he found out that we had Mumps! Roger Armstrong - How I hated having my hair cut by Mr Kimber. His hand clippers were really blunt. They used to pinch the back of your neck. Sit still boy, he would say as you yelped with pain.

24 January 2007 - Clive Atingstall Hi, the words to the song that I remember went. There is a mouldy dump down Beechholme way where we get bossed about, fifty times a day. Egg and bacon we don't see; we get sawdust in our tea. That's why we're gradually fading away. The teachers are real barmy. The matrons are real mad. And poor old Bannner the man sometimes looks real sad. Regretfully the next few verses I am still not too sure of. I too remember the swimming pool, the laundry, and the service areas. All but my youngest sister were in Beechholme from the mid fifties to the late 1959ish time. We went by the names of Dennis, Clive, Robin and Shirley Artingstall. Dennis and I were at the home for longer than the other two and I think we were in Fir. My brother Robin and sister Shirley moved from a different home and were in the house next door. Once it was realised that we were all of the same family. We were all moved into Acacia. I remember several families that were in Acacia with us - The Moths and the Richards. My best friend at Beechholme was a chap called Victor Metcalf who by the way was not in Acacia with us. I remember that on a Friday, dinner was always boiled fish (with egg sauce) which I and Victor hated that much that once a week (on a Friday) we would run away from home. Luckily my grandmother worked for Watney's at the time and was working and living at their convalescent home at Tattenham corner, which to us was worth the walk. The cook was wonderful to us two young ragamuffin folk and always fed us with her fresh made scones and other newly baked goodies. Mind you we had to sit properly at the table, and after the scoff we had to stay at the table until we were collected by one of the staff from Beechholme. Then it was early to bed etc. Scrumping was another way of relieving the old hunger pangs. I remember the various fruit trees scattered around the home, apple, pear, cherry and plum trees, but it was still more fun to scrump your way to a full tummy. I also seem to recall trying to eat some of the Beeech nuts of the trees that lined The Avenue. Also and as seen in the photos, during the time when snow was covering The Avenue, having competitions on which house could build the biggest snowman. Regretfully and for some reason I know not why. I have complete blanks in my total recall of my past, and I sometimes wonder that if I were to meet some of the kids from the home, whether or not I would be able to remember them. Writing these memories reminds me of another thing I seem to recall. When writing home were we told to start the letter. Dear Mum and Dad, I hope you are both well and happy, as we are, .......... Then you wrote what you liked after. Anyway Webmaster my good lady is informing me that my Sunday dinner is on the table. So I must refrain from adding more to my missive to you. Hope to hear from you soon. CLIVE ARTINGSTALL. FROM WEBMASTER: Hello Clive and thanks for another great selection of Beechholme memories. Our new book gets longer and longer but keep them coming.
January 2007 - Mrs E L Leese (nee Gibbs) My Brother Frank Gibbs was Housemaster in Fir tree house with his wife Freda as Housemother and their children, David,Colin and Susan during the 50's,we visited several times. They emigrated to South Australia in 1961. We visited several times and they settled there happily,they also came back to visit a few times. Sadly my brother passed away in 1990. Freda is now in a Home and we are still in contact. The 3 children have done well and Sue visited a few months ago as she had business in Ireland; she in now a Marine Biologist. I am sure this will interest those that remember them.
January 2007 - Roger Armstrong new information on photographs. The photos are of excellent quality. I am afraid that I did not know Godfrey Lawson, but I recognise Mr. Kimber, Mr Manger, and children in the sports day picture showing Fir. I think that the boy holding the banner is David Broome, the boy to his left with the crewcut is Roy Stagg. The black boy is Rowland Jones. There were not very many black children in Beechholme in my day and I do not remember any racism. I did not find out about racism until I left the home and as I had grown up with Rowland and other black children, I did not see any distinction between us. That was one really good thing about growing up in care, it taught you that we are all just folk. Rowland I think was British born as he had no accent. He was almost certainly a child of African parents, yet he had an English name. The other people that I recognise from the other pictures on the website are the Matron, Miss Hoare, and Mr Bray, of Hazel, who drove a 1936 Standard 9 car DPB 937. The interior shots of Cedar were interesting. They show that this house had had a new set of furniture. Our chairs were old fashioned Windsor chairs stamped London County Council. I have 2 of these still in my shed at home. Those in the 1962 pictures of Cedar are newer Ercol chairs. How I hated having my hair cut by Mr Kimber. His hand clippers were really blunt. They used to pinch the back of your neck. Sit still boy, he would say as you yelped with pain. We were in Cedar when we first arrived in Beechholme. The houseparents were Mr/Mrs Hillman. Mr Hillman was an ex army keep fit fanatic and unfortunately a sadist. Through his ill treatment I ended up in Queen Mary's Hospital, Carshalton for a year and a quarter with Rheumatic Fever. He was sacked for child cruelty in about May of 1956 and we were moved to Fir.
DECEMBER 2006 - Bruce Grant writes I am looking for information on a Beechholme teacher. The teacher's name was Miss Baker (Who later became Mrs.Day) I have a special interest in her as she used to take me on holiday and outings on my own. I was wondering if she had any photos of me as a child. She might not even be alive I suppose. I was in Beechholme in the late 50s early 60s together with my brothers Andrew, Stuart and Malcome. I attended the home school and remember learning to swim there. One summer we went to Margate (taken by the London Black Taxis cabs) which came to the home in a convoy and took every child there. Each summer we had two weeks holiday at a seaside resort, and in the winter went to pantomimes in London. We often had trips to museums of the country. In some ways we did more that the local children! We attended the church each Sunday and on my first Christmas there we did the nativity which was filmed by the BBC, I played King Herod but fell asleep halfway through and had to be woken up! I remember the hairdresser who came and cut our hair one day and left a boys hair half cut because he found out that we had Mumps! We used to go scrumping along Banstead golf course for cherries pears and apples (even golf balls). At the end of the avenue was the hall where we watched films. We learnt to cook, sow, do our own cleaning etc good skills for later in life. Derby day was a main even for us we sat on the fence of the sports field asking the returning motorists who were head to tail in slow moving traffic if they had any luck on the betting, they used to throw us coins. All the houses were named after a tree or bush, My house was Kerria. In the photo of sports day you can just make me out holding the house flag. We had to march around the sports field holding it and competed against other houses. I believe the weather vane was above the hall. They were happy times, with many happy memories. The only thing left now is the sports field. These are just a few of my memories from Beechholme. Bruce.
NOVEMBER 2006 - Roger Armstrong writes - "I have the original book, having myself been at Beechholme between 1956 and 1963. I have many detailed memories, some happy some not too happy. There was a Beechholme song which does not appear in the first book. We used to recite this time next week quite a lot rather wistfully, just like the kids in other childrens homes, but the Beechholme song went..see right hand panel. There were other verses, including one about Pop Banner.		There is a mouldy dump Down Banstead way Where we get bread and cheese Three times a day Eggs & bacon we don't see We get sawdust in our tea That's why we're gradually Fading away.
Roger continues.."I was in Fir, which was the only all male house in the place. I remember many of the staff, including 'Killer' Thompson, the matron at the sick bay. I remember the specially painful dentistry with the foot operated drilling machine, Mr Ford the gardener, Mr Manger in the trades yard, the Beechholme tractor SGW 343, The Beechholme Bedford lorry, JXT 913 and most of the houseparents vehicles. "I remember Beaky, who attacked Miss Knights one evening, don't know what actually took place but I know police were involved. I remember Roy Stagg sleepwalking out of the dormitory window and falling onto the garden below completely unhurt. I remember the ice crystal flowers that used to form on the inside of the dormitory windows in the winter, I remember the all too frequent incidents when the lights were switched on in the middle of the night and we were ordered out of our beds to stand shivering until some poor child would confess to raiding the larder. Sometimes this took hours and children would fall asleep standing up and end up concussed on the iron bed ends. The offenders would be slippered. I remember, as I have said, many things and would be glad to contribute to the updated version of the Beechholme publication". Note from webmaster - Thank you very much for your mail Roger. Our secretary will no doubt respond to your offer very quickly.
		APRIL 2005 - Terry Shoosmith says, " I'm afraid I don't know the date of the postcard, but the photograph (below) is dated 1912 and my maternal grandmother is second from the left in the second row up. At that time she was Mrs Esther Downs, born 1877, a widow with a daughter of 5 or 6 years of age (my mother, born in July 1906).
Beechholme staff photograph dated 1912. "The family were originally from the Woolwich/Plumstead area of South East London, where my grandmother had served as a ward maid on one or more of the hospital ships moored in the Thames near Deptford during the smallpox epidemic of the late 1890s and early 1900s. During that time, she met my grandfather, Henry Downs, ex-Royal Navy, who was a piermaster with the same organisation, i.e., the Metropolitan Asylums Board. They were married in 1902 but he died in January 1906, six months before my mother was born. As far as I know, my mother would have received much of her education at "The Schools". Later she worked at Dixon & Co, an estate agents in Sutton - right opposite the station - and at some point met my father, whose family home was "Whitgift", Grange Road, Sutton (now a block of flats, I believe."