Organising Secretary Visits Barnardo Homes

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26543, 19 August 1947, Page 2

Organising Secretary Visits Barnardo Homes

Warm greetings to all New Zealand friends were given by the Dean of Norwich, the Right Rev. H. St. B. Holland, through Miss Violet Roche, Wellington, organising secretary for the Barnardo 'Helpers’ Leagues in New Zealand, when she visited the dean in Norwich recently. Dean Holland was former advisory committee chairman of the New Zealand leagues. Miss Roche was shown over the’ ancient and beautiful Norwich Cathedral by Dean Holland. Her visit to Norwich was made in conjunction with visits to two Barnardo Homes in Norfolk, the Watts Naval Training School and Honingham Hall.

Afterwards Miss’ Roche was taken to see the house that was being prepared for Dean and Mrs Holland. “ The deanery, a rambling fifteenth century house, was requisitioned by the Government during the war and as the dean considered it too large for their requirements a smaller house in the Close, a charming Georgian residence, also requisitioned, was released in exchange for the deanery and is now in process of renovation," stated Miss Roche in a letter. “ This will be known as the Dean’s House, the deanery retaining its original name. The dean was staying with the local canon, while Mrs Holland was with relatives in Kent, and both were eagerly looking forward to being settled in their new home. “The dean continues to take an interest in Barnardo work and promised to go out to the Watts Naval School and preach in the chapel there, and if possible to attend a special performance 6f “ Everyman,” which was being put on for the Barnardo cause in the spring by the famous Maddermarket Theatre in Norwich. Dean Holland has also accepted an invitation to become a member of the London Council of the Barnardo Homes.

“ You will be interested to know that Edith Cavell’s grave lies in the grounds of Norwich Cathedral,” Miss Roche added. Run under the superintendence of a retired naval officer, Commander Felton, the Watts, Naval Training School trained Barnardo boys for the Royal Navy, stated Miss Roche. She spoke to 250 cadets there, giving geographical as well as Banardo aspects in both Australia and New Zealand, and found them a most intelligent audience. The school had a splendid band, and Watts band boys were eagerly sought after by both the army and the navy. To the strains of the band, the 250 boys performed the sailor’s hornpipe for the visitor. “In addition to the boys’ homes I have seen a number of our girls’ homes, both in England and Scotland, and all are doing splendid work. They have been thrilled beyond measure with the food shipments sent Home', and while staying at one of our homes in Oxfordshire I had some custard made with New Zealand dried milk, and a rock cake made with New Zealand dripping, both from shipment.sent through our Wellington office.”