BARNARDO BOYS

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 125, 30 May 1922, Page 4

BARNARDO BOYS

FROM STEPNEY TO HERTFORDSHIRE

FIFTY-ACRE PLAYGROUND.

([ROjI OUR OWN COnRESI'OKDSN;.)

LONDON, 21st April.

Stepney Causeway, where tbo Barnardo Boys' Home has been, is a gloomy part of Vtha East End. There was nothing but sheer delight amongst the. boys one afternoon this wool: when they migrated in one little army to their ne\* home on the hills of Hertfordshire. They left behind the dark mean streets and with faces radiant marched with ?ra,nd and banner up the green slopes of f;Golding&," their new home. Among ■ members of the start at headquarters ihere was fugitive sadness in tho breaking of a.long tradition. But tho boys had no such sentiment. They were ready enough to say good-bye to Stepney, with its cramped playground and unlovely surroundings, and they set off for Liverpool-street Station with light hearts arid easy steps. Many poorly-dressed people were round about the gates as they left the old biukl.ings for the lust time, and at Liverpoolstreet Station crowds of interested mcii and women cheered them, and wished fhem good luck as they hustled into tho train. At Hertford all tho townsfolk turned out to jnoet tho Barnardo- boys: The procession shopped for ?, moment at tho war memorial, whore one of tho boys placed flowers as an act of honour from Hertford's newest citizens. Then the boys passed through streets lined with friendly faces, looking for tho lirst time at a' clean and pretty English town, till at last they reached lanes whero primroses grew aotl birds sang.

Most of the boys tried to picture their new home. But. which of them over ■dreamed it would be a great, comfortable house, with oak-panellorl walls, shining white dormitories, grounds made gracious with flowers? Whoever thoug-ht of so many little twisted paths, so many jolly banks, sue-li promising fruit trees, so wonderful a view over river and hill and valley? f ■■

As soon as they reached the house, the boys were welcomed by Rear-Admiraf Sir Harry Stilcman, who warned them not to tease the hedgehogs, pcare all the pheasants off tho lawn, or rob all the partridges of their eggs. The boys laughed and cheerod, and they had a, special tumult ror Mrs. Barnardo, widow of tho founder,' who watched the- events of this great moving day with some emotion. •-

After tea the boys inspected the house Instead of a few square feet of hard yard they have- at "Goldings" 50 acres of land —enough for. sports, -scouting, tho teach ing oE land work, drill, and training in those- trades which will be taught.