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I have just found your site about Goldings. I've been reading about the first boys and how they entered Goldings for the first time.
I can remember how I arrived the first time and although I lived in Goldings from 1958 -1966 I was not a Goldings boy but the son
of Mr Fred Sheppard who was at first a teacher and later became Principal of the School block. My father passed away in April 2003
but never he forgot Goldings or Barnardo’s, he was himself a "Dickies Boy" as a young boy in and after being in a foster home till he
was about 14 he then moved to Goldings to learn a trade and took up carpentry, when he came back from the war he was offered the
chance to learn a profession so he went to College and became a teacher. Having always kept in touch with Barnardo’s he was offered
the post of teacher at Goldings and accepted straight away. He later gave up teaching to live from his painting (Shortly before would
have retired) but whenever he held an exhibition he always insisted that a collection box be put out for Barnardo’s and every year
before Christmas he sent a cheque to Barnardo’s.
I can remember a lot about Goldings and many stories, as a Staff son I heard a lot about the goings on in the school. Much later
when we had left Goldings and I was a lot older my Mother and Father would often talk about some of the "goings on". Looking
through the pictures and names on your site I can remember a lot of the staff some of whose children I played with like Mr Tordorf 's
son, our neighbour or Mr Stackwood' son and one of the vicars sons but I cant remember now which vicar it was. We lived in the
next to last staff house and after Mr Millar the head of printing died we moved into his house and lived there until we left in the
summer of 1966.
I used to go Hertford Secondary School, and as all children in those days in state run schools, we had six weeks summer holiday.
Goldings however had their holidays before the state schools. It was so that mothers of large families (which was often the case then)
would not have all their children at home at once. We would then take our holidays the two weeks before everybody else, which
meant we had eight weeks holiday. Six of which we roamed the grounds of Goldings and had great fun; we could rove all over in
the places that were out of bounds. Later we not allowed to though, as the boys complained that they were not allowed to but we
were. We continued to do so and hoped we wouldn't get caught. It wasn't nice of us but we were children. The grounds were a great
place to play as kids.
As I got older I would sometimes be included in activities. My father and Bob Newton were very friendly and they both ran outdoor
courses and camps so we would also go along. I especially remember a trip to Scotland, to Glen Trool as part of the duke of
Edinburgh Scheme. We roamed the Scottish mountains for 3 days getting completely lost. I also remember going to London at
Christmas to the circus or Pantomime. I can remember the opening of the "new wing" when princess Margaret came to open it. Or
the time when one of the farmers found weapons and shields in one of his fields whilst ploughing. It turned before Barnardo’s took
over there were swords Muskets and shields hanging the main entrance hall These were taken down and buried in a field as they were
worried that the boys might try use them. I had an almost completely rusted sword on my wall for years.
I have two sisters Josephine and Christine. Josephine who may be remembered for her parts in the Pantos she would always play the
female role. My father painted all the sets and props (he had worked for a while in a big Theatre in London and had learnt how to
paint backdrops and sets.) I used to help him at the weekends. I can particularly remember the show that was put on I think in
Barkingside for Hundred years Barnardo’s or something similar. It was a musical revue based on the story of Dr. Barnardo I saw the
show at Goldings but didn't get to go to Barkingside where Princess Margaret was present. My sister was there though as she was
again the leading girl with Mr Stackwood's daughter (I can't remember her name).
Generally we had as staff children great fun we got away with things the boys couldn't. We went to all the functions and often holidays.
At the time I didn't think much about it then, now looking back is was in some ways unfair to think that we had it good but the boys
didn't really have much fun there. Although I think all of us staff and children helped at functions like cricket teas or Christmas day
as the presents were given out. We then served the boys their Christmas lunch. On camps we would help cook or wash up. Never the
less for me it was a great time, my only problem was that we were quite a way out of Hertford.
I'm in the middle of moving but I'll try and find a little time to write down a few things that I remember.
I'm in the middle of moving but I'll try and find a little time to write down a few things that I remember.
For instance the swimming pool, I learnt to swim in it. Who remembers swimming in dark brown water, as they didn't change the
water very often? Did you know that the first swimming pool was in the "Marshes" but due to Polio having been found in Rivers
around London especially in Hertfordshire a new Pool was built next to the tennis courts. This was filled with "tap" water from the
mains. The old one was filled with river water by opening a sluice gate. As kids we would swim in it till we were warned not to and
told we were out of bounds. We weren't the only ones though the boys would sneak out at night and go skinny-dipping.
The reason my Father didn't give out that he had been a Goldings Boy was that he always thought he might have trouble with
discipline when the boys knew he had been one of them. I myself didn't know until sometime after we had left Goldings, he didn't
want me telling the boys. It may seem strange but I presume he had his reasons things were different in those days. He always spoke
very highly of Barnardo’s and that they had helped him in every way to get on in his early life. When in Teachers Training College
shortly after the war they even helped support him. This was one of the reasons he taught at Goldings he always said they helped
him and now he could return the favour.
He lived for a while in Barnstaple in Devon then moved to Crediton and later to Ledbury to live with my Sister they both then
moved to Maidstone. Some years later he went to live in Cheltenham in a sheltered Housing for the aged, where he stayed till his
death. He was 83 when he died and even up to the end he never lost his sense of humour and always had a quip or Joke for
everyone, he continued painting for a long time but towards the end he had trouble seeing and holding a brush.
Josephine did marry a Goldings boy, one of the Printers Chris Pettman (who now lives in America and teaches) unfortunately their
marriage didn't last very long. She later remarried and is herself in teaching in north London. She would be interested in your
reunion.
I spoke to her a couple of days ago. She has most of the photos from my father. I will send her a copy of your mail she might be able
to offer more than I especially as I live in southern Germany. Josephine told me she met Bob Newton not long ago at a function. My
other Sister Christine lives in Scotland and has a small Hotel there. She also taught for many years in the catering trade. I am a
computer man and have an Apple Dealership here in Regensburg (www.compustore-shop.de).
Steven Shepperd 2007
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