BARNARDO BOYS' MIGRATION.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17470, 2 June 1922, Page 2

BARNARDO BOYS' MIGRATION.

nFTT-ACRE PLAYGROUND. (from oue own correspondent.) LONDON, April 21. Stepney Causeway, where the Barnado Boys' Home has been, is a gloomy part of the East End. There was nothing but sheer delight amongst the boys one afternoon this week when they migrated in one little army to their new home on the hills of Hert-

fordshire. They left behind the dark, mean streets, and witli taces radiant marched with band and banner up the green siopes of "Goldings," their new noine. .among members of tlie stall at .headquarters tnere was fugitive sadness in uie oieaiiuig of a long tradition, liut the boys had no such sentiment, i'iiey were ready enougn to say goodbye to Stepney, with its cramped playgrounds and unlovely surrounuings, and they set off for .Liverpool street station witli light Uearts, and easy steps.

Many poorly-dressed people were round about tfte gates as they left the old buildings tor the last time, and at Liverpool street station crowds of interested men and women cheered them, and wished them good luck as they hustled into the train. At Hertford all the townsfolk turned out to meet the Barnardo boys. The procession stepped for a moment at' the war memorial, where one of the 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 the first time at a clean and pretty English town, till at last they reached lanes where primroses grew and birds sang. Most of the boys had tried to picture their new home. But which of them ever dreamed it would be a great comfortable, house, with oak-panelled walls, shining white dormitories, grounds made gracious with flowers P Whoever thought of so many little twisted paths, so many jolly banks, such promising fruit trees, so wonderful a view over river and hill and valley? I A 9 soon as they reached the house, the boys were welcomed by ItearAdmiral Sir. Harry Stileman, who warned them not to tease the hedgehogs, scare all the pheasants off the lawn, or rob all the partridges of their eggs. The boys laughed and cheered, and they had a special tumult for Mrs Barnardo, widow of the 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, the teaching of land work, drill and training in those trades which will be taught.