Children's homes or orphanages in Sheffield [Archive] - Page 2

bresail

20-08-2008, 10:09

brian1941

20-08-2008, 13:10

i remember how we all stayed up late at night in those wooden huts and had supper....luxuries we never had at fch.....and i remember how sad i was to come home when we got on the coaches ...wondering if we might ever come back.....i looked on google earth and i can,t find those ymca huts.....theres a housing estate there now.....but the path to the beach is still there
-------------------------------------------
anlabystreet,-----good holidays though,---yes sad to come back to f,c.h.
i did go back to redcar in the 1980s, and the field was bare-all them huts
had been knocked down.----hey,--yer right that path to the beach is
still there and the gate that took you through to the path.
i remember writing on that gate---brian was here.----
i surpose the weather will have washed it off now.

brian1941

20-08-2008, 13:43

i remember how we all stayed up late at night in those wooden huts and had supper....luxuries we never had at fch.....and i remember how sad i was to come home when we got on the coaches ...wondering if we might ever come back.....i looked on google earth and i can,t find those ymca huts.....theres a housing estate there now.....but the path to the beach is still there
--------------------------------------------
that other thread you sent about homes--but first you said about your
sister lived about 13, do you mean she lived in no13,
when i was a little boy of about 2/3- i was brought up in no13--
miss scrimshaw was house mother.
--would i know this lol you mentioned,
---you should try and visit the homes, i was up there 2 weeks ago.
what i like is that the structure of the houses is still the same.
the big field in the middle of the houses what was our sports field are
now gardens (i dont like it --rubbish)
playing fields where swings was , is still same
anlabystreet, dont bother about buying one
--bri

SputnikBoy

23-08-2008, 04:42

I have just finished going through this thread completely and I have thought about the cruelty that went on in FCH. In No. 8 we were relatively sheltered from this.
Miss Humphreys was not a cruel person but she had one fault that I believe should be ignored.
Sputnic said that the times were different, where cruelty was concerned. It was!
Unfortunately a lot of us were already schooled in cruelty, we, my siblings and I, lived through, watching the torture of my Mother and as he was at the time, my baby brother. Here on this thread I have three members of my family plus myself. I know for certain that the family outside of the home knew of the cruelty that went on because, I told them.
They chose to ignore it.
We had no option but to go into the home and quite honestly we were better off there. Our real Mother was, at the time, unable to take care of us. She had been made an outcast by our outside family long before this and because we were her children that was our fate too.
No one in our outside family have ever apologised to us, because they would have to look deep inside of their selves. In fact when I did contact one of them to try to find our roots again. I received a friendly reply, marred by a nasty remark about Mum.
I met my Mother for the first time for 30yrs a couple of years ago and she died a few months after this. During the last visit to her to her, she said, "I don't suppose, that I did everything I should have done." My reply was, that at the time she was a young woman and that now with age I could understand why she did it.
What she did do was to make a new and better life for us, which we would not have achieved if we had not been outcasts.
I am positive that this post will be echoed by other inhabitants of FCH.
Some of us were better off in the home on reflection.
I am happy that I have got this off my chest and if there is a heaven, Mum will be there.
So you. you outside and righteous family. You will never meet her!
And, you, you cruel and sadistic house mothers, who took advantage of innocent, vulnerable, frightened and outcast kids, who had suffered more than they should have, already. Did you treat your children well? I doubt it!
To the none cruel house Mothers.
Why did you not report it?

Well, that was well said, Rex, and, as your 'baby brother', I'm seeing for the VERY FIRST TIME in a 'millennium' your views on the FCH experience. By the way, this is NOT the only thread on FCH that I and others have contributed in ...you might want to check those out also. I'm not sure how you navigate to them ...just type 'FCH' in the search box, I guess.

Yes, while we can't change the past I can say that FCH left a lasting impression on me that is not ALL bad if the truth be known. Sure, like life itself, it was a mix of both good and bad and everything in between. I was fortunate for the most part that my house-parent (Miss Bower) didn't exhibit the sadistic traits of some of the other house-parents that I've read about. Make no mistake ...she COULD be strict but she tended to err more consistently on the side of reason than the alternative. But not always.

There were times, for instance, when we kids had to sit quietly doing absolutely nothing - no talking allowed - for no apparent reason. I mean, we were kids. It's surely against nature for kids to be made to be quiet for extended periods of time for no reason. I recall one such occasion where I simply couldn't keep my mouth closed (alas, a trait that has grown older with me :)) and I whispered to one of my house-brothers. I still remember (basically) what I whispered. I said, "I don't think that it's fair that we have to sit here like a bunch of zombies saying nothing." Honest! Miss Bower came into the room, she asked who had spoken, I reluctantly confessed to 'the crime', she asked what I'd said, I told her, and consequently I lost all 'privileges' for a week.

Strange times ..almost a 'Dickens-like' culture. Just as strange, I also find them somewhat compelling. I often recall those experiences in 'black and white' as if they were not real but were instead a movie in which I played the part of myself. But, that's just it. Times WERE different and what would not be accepted today by society was pretty well 'the norm' back then, rightly or wrongly. We can't change that fact. Sure, some of the experiences some of us had 'played with our heads', some kids more so than others. I know how naive I was when I first entered the 'free world' for the first time after many years of being institutionalized. I was 'dumb' in a 'worldly' sense, if not academic, and I was also somewhat emotionally effected by my FCH experience. I didn't quite know how to act in many social situations/relationships and I found it difficult to express 'love' or even 'friendship' adequately. While our weekdays allowed us to integrate for a few hours with kids at school who were non-FCH residents, the major part of our lives told a different story.

One experience that I recall so vividly concerned YOU, Rex! You were leaving the following day for the navy (?) and you promised to come and say goodbye to me that evening. At the time we kids were under the 'care' (loose term) of Miss Herring, a relief-mother, for a few days. At bed-time (probably around 7pm) I told Miss Herring that you were coming to say goodbye. She didn't care and sent me to bed anyway. Later, as I stayed awake to listen for you, I heard a knock on the door from just below my bedroom window ..the cottages were 2-storey. I heard muffled voices and guessed that you were at the door. After a brief time I heard the door close. I crept out of bed and headed for the window. It was still light. I could see you walking up the pathway to your cottage and I wanted so badly to let you know that I was there. But I couldn't tap on the window or call out to you for fear of giving myself away to Miss Herring.

The next thing I was aware of was this booming voice behind me. Miss Herring had evidently heard me get out of bed and had come up the stairs to see what was going on. She was mad! I told her my reasons for getting out of bed and looking out the window but she didn't care. That woman had a heart of stone and a very masculine voice ...I'm sure she must have been a guy in drag. I remember her words as though she spoke them just a few moments ago. She said, "You're about to get some Pol (Paul?) Thompson!" That was a favorite expresson of hers which basically meant that she was about to beat you up. And, that's exactly what she did. She left me a sobbing mess. While she slapped me around and it hurt badly (I was just a little kid remember) my main reason for the sobs was the heartbreak behind the fact that I hadn't said goodbye to you.

Now, isn't that a sad, sad story? :) I told it on one of the other FCH threads way before I knew you, Rex, were still around. You might want to check it out.

But hey, here we are ...we survived! And - some of us anyway - didn't exactly turn out to be basket cases even though we may well have been adversely 'affected' in some way by life within an institution that we were not responsible for. I know there have been some negative areas of my life that I could have attributed partially to my past and unusual upbringing. But, I quickly add, we're all personally responsible for our actions.

Please, anyone who might have shared Cottage #9 with me let me hear from you. Ernest Hill ...someone has spoken about you on the board several times but you still remain as elusive as ever. Talk to me!

glen

24-08-2008, 04:27

does anyone know the whereabouts` of a syliva westney, she was in folwood cottage
homes. i think syliva was in number17 house, and not sure if the mother was
miss highfield`s. and i think she wore glasses.-----syliva was in the home around
1942/3 but not sure when she left. ---i was in number6 ,how i would love to chat
to her. ---p.s we were childhood sweatheart`s
Hi Brian I was in cottage 17 and the excuse for a cottage mother was Miss Barnett.This was from about 1951 to about 1955.I am sure i have heard that name.kepp thinking

glen

24-08-2008, 05:13

Hi to you all who went to Hunters bar school and used to go to Endcliffe park at dinner time .I remember more each time i read a thread.My teachers were Miss Buxton ,Mrs caulfield,and Mrs Giles cant remember the other one. My best friend there was Valerie Gamble.I was in cottage 17 and my name was Glenda Fearnehough, Sister of rodney and rex.bresail and sputnick boy

glen

24-08-2008, 05:21

bresail

24-08-2008, 18:02

Sputnik boy,
How dare you suggest that I'm not a basket case.
It's genetically programmed that way. Big brothers have to set an anti-example to his siblings.

Albert T Smith

24-08-2008, 18:40

Was Fulwood Cottage Homes re-named Moor side when it because a remand centre for girls or is/was it a totally different place?

brian1941

25-08-2008, 11:28

Hi Brian I was in cottage 17 and the excuse for a cottage mother was Miss Barnett.This was from about 1951 to about 1955.I am sure i have heard that name.kepp thinking
-------------------------------------------------------
hi glen,-----yes miss barnett was the mother in no17,
you said you could--maybe know the person syliva, she had a scar on one
of her hands, not sure witch and it was on the top.
she had shoulder length hair, on sports day she was a very good runner,
i left homes befor her around 1954/5--that all i remember.
like i said she was in there 1940s--any more help on this , have a good
think,-
--------------------------
i have just had a great reunion in skegness this w/end 24/08/08.
tommy botham was is name, and it was 55yrs when we last met.
we went into fulwood cottage homes in the 1940s and left around
middle 1950s, tommy and his wife mary live in lincoln.
well, we talked about the past and pres`ence, shared photo`s
talk about reminiscence`ing--it does bring things back to mind
and this wonderful technol`ogy with e,mailing on laptops
what a way --getting people back together and communica`tion.
>>>good luck everyone<<<

glen

26-08-2008, 08:36

Hi Brother,I have tried to send you an email but it was returned saying not under this server.Please also can you send me that other address.I will also send you a private message to make sure you get it.You Baby Sister ha ha :hihi:

bresail

26-08-2008, 10:30

I have already written that I wasn't really abused in FCH, but memories are now coming back of how the authorities were allowed to dismiss their obligations. These memories were so horrific and possibly "shameful," that I don't believe that I have told anyone the full story.
When in FCH, I had developed a love of the sea and the adventures to be had. At times we used to have ex boys holidaying with us, dressed in sailors uniform, they were, from a sea training ship, the TS Wellesley. So I "volunteered" to go there. Were my family asked for permission? I don't know. Were they even briefed about the school? Or did the children's dept sign the papers?
So off I went, thrilled with the idea of freedom and adventure to come.
I arrived in hell. A place of torture, sexual abuse and despair. It was a correctional institute for delinquent boys. I and the other "volunteers" from FCH were not aware of this before we left. We were, a lot of us anyhow, very naive, had been abandoned by our families and just wanted to leave FCH. You had a choice. Either to consent to sexual abuse by the boss of the dorm and his cronies or to be beaten up by the above. The beatings consisted of standing to attention, while you were punched about the head and if you moved, you were told that the punishment would carry on. Unconsciousness meant relief from the beatings but it could not be feigned, they had stringent tests for this.
Head down the toilet to the point of unconsciousness was another one and a modern twist was to hold a live wire in a basin of water and the chief thug would have the other wire in his hand to plunge in on command. The officers in charge did eventually become suspicious as to why the fuses kept breaking. These abuses carried on until you joined the boss's gang or you became big enough or desperate enough to retaliate and beat the boss, or at least cause enough damage to him so as to make him realise that you could hurt him.
Some poor kids spent the rest of their internment as the bosses tiger or was released when a prettier boy came along. I know that there are others on this forum who probably underwent this treatment in Wellesley and may not wish to comment, for obvious reasons.
I know the effect that this had on me, I was for a time a bully after leaving Wellesley for which I apologise.
Another effect is that the only thing that may create an angry response in me is when I see bullying going on.
Did the childcare dept. really care?
Who did care?
If this post does offend, then I will remove it but, I am glad that after all these years I've told this story.

Albert T Smith

27-08-2008, 08:50

Now look to your own future and learn from your memory's.
What did happen, happened. It is now up to you, to get yourself into a position where it can never happen to someone else.

bresail

27-08-2008, 09:48

glen

27-08-2008, 12:35

HI BRo I dont think you should delete it at all.Sometime, someone might read that and learn a lesson,And then again someone of importance might read it and say sorry for all the trauma you kids endured.I have also thought of that rotten place most days of my life up to now,I have moved on to a certain extent ( as much as one can) BUT we will never forget.This is the first i knew of this,wasnt it enough in f.c.h.it also went on in the navy.Life is wonderful and we say thank you each time we wake up.Love Your Sister GlenXXX

Albert T Smith

27-08-2008, 15:27

Hi Albert,
I am well over it now and have been for over 50yrs. I still challenge bullies though, whenever I meet up with them. I do it with words and usually in front of their friends. The
red faces and blustering that they produce, prove their lack of courage. The most common reply is, "I was only joking."
Posting the above did serve a purpose though, I gave a copy to a person who did bully an 88yr old woman and she was the one that prompted me to post and unfortunately died a few months ago. Later on today I will delete the post.

Please Don't. It is part of the history of the homes. Someone, sometime will write about the homes and be pleased to be able to obtain first hand records that are written by those with actual experience and with no grudge to bear.

brian1941

28-08-2008, 20:10

fulwood-cottage-homes.
does anyone remember 1952--may queen.
and may pole dancing and party----here are some names.
betty -birtles===the queen
jack --ashton====captain
sandra--jesney====train.
martin--jesney====bearer.
jackie--talbot=====coshion bearer.

good old days in homes and sports day on th big field,
i know a lot of happy kids in them homes.
i remember loads of kids with problems befor they moved in f.c.h.
some you couldnt do ow`t with.
i knew a lad that stabed a folk in house mother`s face, for know reason,
i , and many other lads witness this and it was very frighten`ing,
they rushed the house mother to the hospital -us some13 kids was to scared
to sleep, some kids cried and sceemed at bed time- i for one.
the superintendent had the lad moved from the house for good.
what a relieve to us all --that lad was a bully boy to us.
we were one happy family with a good house mother, i was in them homes
some 13years -i have seen a lot of things going on, and its half one-half other.
i still visit the homes in the summer on my country walks.
the homes are private bought and i get talking to the owners and they love to
hear the stories of f-c-homes----and i have the privilege to tell them.
happy--happy--days.

glen

07-09-2008, 01:35

glen

07-09-2008, 01:48

SputnikBoy

07-09-2008, 03:15

Hi Guys. I hope we never let this f.c.h.thread die because for some of us its the only way to keep in touch with the kids we knew at that time.I for one love getting on the site and recently was able to communicate with someone that was very special to me then.I was really blown away by that and that is why its so important to keep it alive,I am at the other side of the world and thats why it is so important to me. be careful bresail :rant:

Unfortunately, I haven't made contact with any of the kids that I knew in FCH (Cottage#9) and that's disappointing. Even though we might have little or nothing in common now it would be nice to hear from one or more of them. Those times - both good and bad - are surreal in my memory. I've given actual names before but I'll give some of them again in no particular order of preference.

Rosemary (Miss) Bower: House Mother
Ernest Hill
Roger Bradbury
George Archer
David Wales
Tony Wales
Derek Hibberd
Norman Maeltzer
Graham Hanson
Jimmy Pickering
Kenneth Bolton

If any of you happen to be on the forum, or should anyone recognize the names and know their whereabouts, please respond.

Tooeg

07-09-2008, 11:13

This thread has gone a bit off the original title, so its probably become the wrong place for this question.
There was a teachers orphanage at Tapton Grange at the bottom of Tapton Park Rd.
Whats a Teachers Orphanage?

debbielou

07-09-2008, 15:53

glen

08-09-2008, 03:32

Hi all,
My mum and her younger sister were in fulwood cottages for two different periods of time probably in the early and mid fifty's, i loved hearing all about what they got up to, as she would tell me storys as i was growing up.
I've told her about this site and she's fascinated that people are still in touch with each other from then.
Unfortunately she's not computer friendly but i know that she would love to know if anyone remembers her and her sister,
my mums name was christine lee and her sisters was kathlene (or chris & kath).

Hi Would you ask your mum what cottage she was in.I was there from 49-54 and in cottage 17,house mother Miss Barnett (yuk) Please buy her a cheap computer as she would enjoy f.c.h.site also the others.Who knows she may catch up with someone she knew there.You could teach her in no time,if i can learn ,anyone can.:hihi:

glen

08-09-2008, 03:40

where are all the girls from f.c.h. we are hearing from all the boys.surely there is someone who was there at that time or maybe before or after.You may know someone on the fulwood cottage homes site.Can anyone remember the concerts we had periodically.We also had concerts at Marske by the sea.

debbielou

08-09-2008, 15:57

Hi glen,
had a quick chat with my mum and she cant remember what number cottage she was in but shes going to ring her sister to see what she remembers.
She does remember being in a concert at marske singing gillygilly hosenfether bogen by the sea-ee-ee! (dont think thats quite right but hope you know what i mean!)
anyway she started to laugh while singing it and that started her sister laughing and they spoiled the whole thing..... she remembers the house mother smacking her so hard round the head that she had a headache for hours...... cant have done her much harm though cos she still laughs about it now!!!
I'll post again if i find out anymore info after shes spoken to her sister.

marybotham

09-09-2008, 10:57

Hello Glen

My husband is Tom Botham.He was in the homes fromJan.1945 until about 1952/53 when he was sent out to a farming "centre".

Do you remember any of his family Beryl,and Marian,both older than him were in 16.

Beryl later became a house mother but by then I think she was Harrison.

It was only last week, on Toms 70th birthday that they were talking about concerts.

Tom can remember them doing "uncle Tom cobley" and he was Bill Brewer.

He can also remember being dressed up in old clothes and pushing a pram with other

dirty faced kids for a fancy dress.

Marian can remember her and Beryl in Ballet dresses dancing on a concert.

These must be the only good memories he has of the place.

glen

11-09-2008, 01:30

Hi Debbielou and Mary.Nice to hear from you.The concerts at marske were fun, I used to sing Theres No Place Like Home also dance.It was fun there and different because we didnt get bashed,i cant remember at this stage why that was,maybe all the usual cottage Mothers didnt go.:hihi: Tom is around my age so maybe he remembers me also his sisters were next door to me (17) My name was Glenda Fearnehough my brother Rex and Rodney were also there.Can they remember the concerts at the home as well,i always danced in those,sometimes sang.Hope to hear from you again.Thanks:thumbsup:

bresail

11-09-2008, 21:30

Brian 1941.
Yes we did have fun in the homes and a lot of us had more fun than we had at home. The fun though was usually made by us kids, outdoors and unsupervised. The concerts that were put on were display pieces, to show that the homes were full of happy smiling kids and there were such kids.
These kids were very lucky and not plentiful.
I was not treated badly in the homes, so I was one of the lucky ones.
Brian1941
"i have seen a lot of things going on, and its half one-half other."
Some of the kids, in the homes, were better off there. At their parental homes they didn't know that their treatment was different from other kids in balanced homes. They may have been used to violence in the house, so any pause in that violence, no matter how short, would be a happy time.
Eventually the children's department would rescue these kids.
Some, for the first time, would know regular food, clean clothes, cleanliness and playing fields. We were surrounded by children, all of us in the same boat. We had been rescued from poverty and degradation.
All we had to pay was the occasional slap or minor beating. This was a small price to pay for all the benefits that we had gained.
Or was it?
Some of the kids were orphans and had come from "good" homes, where violence was unknown and their parents loved them. They were also in our boat but, they also had to suffer the slaps and beatings from the house mothers, this would be, then, a large price to pay. They had in fact lost much more than than they had gained!
WE WERE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT!
Now if these minor corrections, had been just that, minor slaps for naughtiness, then, that was acceptable in those days.
If however they were the results of an inadequately trained house mother or a house mother who hated her job, so blamed the kids and vented their anger on them, this is unacceptable and also proves that there were little or no checks on our welfare by the children's department.
So back to Brian's post above, six of one and half a dozen of the other or, give and take.
It wasn't that way at all.
Who did the giving?
Who did the taking?
The giving was by the children's department, food, clothes a clean home and beatings.
The taking was by the kids, food, clothes a clean home and beatings.
Kids should not have been beaten!
I am now 73yrs old on the 20th October. I am not angry about what happened to me and what will happen to me, but a lot of kids, not only in the homes had a formative part of their lives denied them.
I do get angry however, when we deny or pretend that these things didn't happen or that somehow they were normal and, a small price to pay.
Ask yourselves!
Should I do the same things to my own kids or my family?
A joke here may be relevant,
"I've just been offered a 60 inch digital tv for 50 quid,
the bloke said "unfortunately, the volume control doesn't work,"
But for that price, you can't turn it down, can you?

flyer

13-09-2008, 00:28

Grr someone upthere still doesn't like me every time I give a reply on this thread my provider goes down and i lose all my hard one finger reply's as I said Grrr

flyer

14-09-2008, 21:47

In the firm believe that our early witch's was much more evil than your 50s-60s witch's I will conduct a poll 1st Miss Millner#3 late 30s was still there in46 when i left she beat the kids around the head with her thick bonker a lot of kid never quite the same after leaving her tender care,A close 2nd would Miss Bull (same time frame)#2 I remember her pasting one lad who had been pulled out of the bombings and wet the bed every day,he was beat every day for 3-4 years and was still going on when I left in 46,even at the age of 8-9 i was thinking what a complete stupid fool she must havebeen but I'm sure she would carry on to the bitter end

anlabystreet

14-09-2008, 22:14

one thing i always remember about old housemother winnie edge in cottage 1.....her idea of punishment for the kids..retribution for daring to speak in the house without being spoken to by her...she used to stand you up in a corner facing the wall.......and you would stand there for hours till she went to bed about 2 o clock in the morning...if you fell down she would stand you up,give you a pasting and start again....and you were up at 7 for school

flyer

15-09-2008, 07:55

Yes I've heard infamous Winnie,Bull didn't like to see fiddle hands(go figure) so she made all kids sit on their hands in her presence ,made all the lads come out with permanent round shoulder.

SputnikBoy

16-09-2008, 05:07

Do any of you remember some of the popular songs of the day that we would hear played on the radio at FCH? A few that spring to mind are She Wears Red Feathers and a Huly (Hula) Huly (Hula) Skirt and There's Always Room At Our House (To Share A Smile Or Two) by Guy Mitchell and I Believe and Make Way, Oh Make Way (For My Eastern Rose) by Frankie Laine. I also seem to recall C'Mon a'My House and Mangoes Papiyahs by Rosemary Clooney and Shrimp Boats Is a'Comin' and AllenTown Jail by Jo Stafford. Also You Belong To Me (See The Pyramids Along The Nile) by the same artist. Hmmm . . .also Little things Mean A Lot by ...Kitty Kallen ...? There was also some stupid 'pirate song' many of the kids were obsessed with that if I could think of the name of it I would die a happy man.

Oh my, I could go on an on ...anyone else?

bresail

16-09-2008, 11:46

This will be the last post where I talk about the cruelty that some children went through.
So why did I do it?
It is possible that children, even today, are suffering the same way in Britain. In the last few years we have had evidence that it did, long after the era that we have been discussing. Some of it possibly even more brutal.
We can sit back and say poor me or we can do something about it.
Through the various taxes that we pay, we may be funding the cruel people. We will be paying the wages that they earn.
If people saw an RSPCA man beating a dog with a stick or even heard of it happening, it would be reported.
So if you hear of any cruelty to children do the same but, and this is important, ask for a follow up report. If your report is anonymous then they may say that it is confidential, so they cannot discuss the case. So you should also, on reporting, ask for the case number.
If your report is found to be untrue. So what? It keeps the authorities on their toes and shows that the public are watching and do care.
Go to the homes and visit kids there.
There are also old and infirm people that are abused and need contact too.
You may of course have to fill in a disclosure form and rightly so.
And, what will you get from this?
The smile of a child, when they have learnt to trust you.
When in Australia recently, I met such a child. She had been hospitalised on many occasions after being beaten by her parents. Her Granny had been given custody.
Despite the distance I often wonder what is happening to her.
So Glen! Find out for me and then I can send her a card, through her Granny and then I can prove that when I told her that she would always have a friend who lived a long way away, it was true.
No excuses.
When I said goodbye to her, she jumped into my arms cuddled me and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
I am, incidentally, non religious and cannot blame any good or bad that I may do, on God or the devil.
Nor can I ask anyone higher up for forgiveness.
I live with it.

brian1941

16-09-2008, 13:28

quote=bresail to your reply.
i could`nt have done a better post >> spot on<<. but i did not need to- as thier are
others on this thread, con`stantly repeating the same thing over-over and over.
i myself, will not forget the-fist-the cracks-and smacks-having to sit quiet and not
forgetting, being got by the scuff of the neck-->> as the saying goes <<.
yes, we had jobs to do befor we went to school-job to do when we got home--so what.
each house had 14 children and 2 dormitories-the mother had her own room.
2 eldest lads would strip the beds befor they went to school-and make up when they
got home, other lads did duties around the home-.we had ear inspections and if they
were dirty ( grubby ) we got a clip, if we was caught with a tide mark around the neck
we got a clip. if you broke any pots--again you got a clip, so it was like the mother
hadnt anything better to do with her hands, pity they never had broken bones.
i remember having bed inspections every monday, the 2 elder boys would fold the
mattress over at top end,--sheets/ blankets folded in the middle and the pillow at
the bottom end. this had to be done the army way. the superintendent did this
inspection to every house while at school, when we got home from school, the first
job was to make the beds befor tea time. then we had to clean our school shoes
and any other jobs,>>quess what << the mother would let us have a play time.
that was short and sweet, as by then it was bed time,
hey--i could go on for ever,-----------------
bresail, i have seen some of your threads, although you will never forget the pass
and your advice for people should move on, --you yourself said it wasnt all bad.
and i say again for all the bashing-smacks-other things happen to me, i moved on
many years ago. i have never been bitter about my pass, whats been done-been done.
all my familys and friends and others have listen about the bad time, but---they love
to here about my good times. >> i am living my life to the full--happy times<<.
----------------

bresail

17-09-2008, 09:37

Brian, I am glad that you have moved on and so have I. You are right to have done so.
What happened in the era that has been discussed cannot be changed. In my last post I drew an end to what I would say about my families and friends experiences and I will stick to that.
After all we have moved on and everyone is wiser and the authorities are more vigilant and children are safer.
Or are they?
I suppose I should not write about Haut de la Garenne that was the 1960's. I will also ignore what happened in children's care homes.
I will however write about the failure of the powers that be from the 1990's. So here are some names only and no details, Robert Black finally convicted 1994 after 40yrs of child murder, rape and abuse. Known to the authorities for this number of years.
Ian Huntley known as dangerous to children before conviction of the Soham murders.
I to would like to read only about the good times and happy children, I do not ghoulishly delve into these cases. They sicken me. I cannot though, avoid reading or hearing about them in the news.
Please notice that I have not judged any of the perpetrators throughout my posts.
I have and will forever shout about any child care organisation, authority or family that allows, for whatever reason, the abuse of children.
I did offer to delete the offending post but, was asked not to. Yes, other people have written about this subject.
So Brian, over to you.
Do you want me to delete this one?
Since my first post about these things, not only on this forum. I have had to change my 'phone number and go ex directory. This would not have been necessary if I had been secretive about my name and where I live.
I sign off with my name and because I receive these calls I know that I am rubbing people up the wrong way.
Good!

flyer

17-09-2008, 16:27

I think most would agree with your outlook,and to be honest F.C.H was complete out of mind for 65 yrs and it was only when looking at S.F and by chance contact with 1940 inmate that some of the hurt came back,so a little rant and rave just lets of a little steam and of course a lot depends on how much long term damage was done,in my case quite a lot:rant::rant::rant:

bresail

17-09-2008, 23:29

Flyer, I've just checked your age on your profile so it's likely we were there about the same time. I was born 1936 and I think that I went in when I was 12/13yrs old. At that age I was put in No. 8 under Miss Humphreys. Number 8 seemed to be the transit preparation cottage.
I don't recognise you from your avatar but my nose has also got longer with age.

flyer

17-09-2008, 23:57

Hi bresail, I was in fm39 untill V.J night 1946 I was under the tender care of Miss Bull #2 and my two brothers were in #3 with Millner ,If my foggy brain serve me right my best mate was in #8 it sticks in my mind him telling me that his was a kind &caring house mum but i could have the house # wrong.(ps I think my pic is a good likeness):hihi::hihi:

bresail

18-09-2008, 08:46

Yes Flyer, number 8 was apparently the best house. We were relatively free and I don't ever remember even a slap being given to anyone. I was even allowed to bring mates in. On the house mothers day off, she would take me into Sheffield and treat me to a mixed grill.

flyer

18-09-2008, 12:03

bresail, was the Fullwood village school open doing your stay,I started there but moved to greystones around 43 when the village school closed,also went to the Chapel next door just the 6 of us for some reason my mother had put down chapel when asked,i don't think she wanted to put down wild and untamed;);)

bresail

18-09-2008, 13:49

No, you're right. It must have been about 48 when I entered FCH.
The school I don't know about, or, I can't remember.
I had passed the eleven plus before I went to FCH and they let me carry on at school. This meant travelling daily to Middlewood from FCH. I suppose that I must have left around 0600hrs to get to school for 0900hrs. After about a year of this I was expelled when the school 'phoned and asked, how I was doing. I'd been writing sick notes purporting to be from the house mother and had been using my dinner and 'bus money to wander the countryside. I became a good hunter, stalking deer in some of the Derbyshire parks. Summers were better in those days.
I couldn't do it now, my knees creak too much
So the old Weston Rd school was my final school.

brian1941

18-09-2008, 19:15

brian1941

20-09-2008, 20:17

SputnikBoy

21-09-2008, 02:02

folwood-cottage-homes
--------------------------------------
this site opened--march--2006----only 10--registered,
--------- --jan --2007--- only 6 --///////
----------- --feb -- 2008 ---only 17--/////// total 33.
---------------------------------
sadly, in this thread i had struck up a friendship with 2 people from s, yorkshire
they have deleted their conversions and removed from the register.
but the good thing, we exchanged our e,mail address`es.
they felt they was`nt getting any thing from the this site, i myself thought
this was going to be a happy -happy re-union site.
16,00 children passed through the homes, from 1905 to 1960.
thats when it closed 1960.----
what i would like to know , why ar`nt they coming to this site.
it stated of well, then it took one person to get the ball rolling on >cruelty <.
many will not wish to open up wounds to the why`s and wherefores,
which caused them to enter the fulwood-cottage-homes, nevertheless it
was their home, the homes had become part of history and many would like
to recall their happy times spent in there.
--------------------
come on tell us about your childhood times, what games did you play,
who did you play with, who was your best friends, what songs did you sing,
what number house was you in, tell us the lads names, did you go to the
dances in the big hall, which was your best dance, which girl did you dance with,
was she nice, you went to the pictures in the big hall, in black/white.
did you run across the field at dark nights to kiss your girl friend--i did----
she lived at no17, ------there is loads of thing to talk about.
what school did you go to, did you like going to church on sundays.
it goes on-on-and on,--come on you lads and lasses,
this is your site, so come on get using the threads.
------------------------------------

I applaud your zeal for wanting to hear about the good times that were available for the kids at FCH, Brian. With one or two odd exceptions I was generally not treated badly by the FCH staff. In fact, if anything, I recall the good times that I had more than the infrequent bad times that I suffered.

And, before I depart from the subject of the 'bad times' for some in FCH ...if it's any consolation society in its stupidity has done a complete 'about face' in regard to 'the non-abuse' of kids. In its zealousness to curb abuse it has created a monster. Kids now hold the power over adults. And they know it. Thank you Dr. Spock and his academic contemporaries and his myriad of mindless followers for this situation. Avoiding the potential for cruelty and abuse is one thing ...allowing and encouraging freedom from any responsibilty in our kids is another. Sparing the rod and spoiling the child CAN be a bad thing. And, despite all of the accumulated academic brain-power of 'the wise ones', society seems to have a problem striking a balance or a happy medium. Instead it has produced a bunch of no-risk-taking, molly-coddled, spoiled, 'me generation' wimps. I'm generalizing, of course. Anyway, that's my two cents worth on that issue.

Okay ...I was there (at FCH) at an age when I was just 'finding myself' and I loved the weekly social events such as movies in the hall (as boring as many of the movies were), dancing on Saturday nights in the same hall, and the odd variety show that some performing groups would put on for us. I seem to recall one such group of thespians by the name of 'Tireless' (I think) who would go out of their way to give us an hour or so of pure (albeit rather 'silly') entertainment. Many of us were giddy kids and we would basically laugh at anything. And they knew this. I also recall a pantomime in which the houseparents took part. It was Jack and the Beanstalk. I recall my house parent from Cottage #9 (Miss Bower) laughing so hard at the antics of the guy who played Jack (Mr. Beale's son?) that she couldn't produce her lines. Laughter produces laughter and that pantomime still sticks in my memory as being very special.

I LOVED music and I still do, obviously. I became a reasonably accomplished musician (guitar, vocal, sequencer) and led my own band - Shilo Canyon - in the U.S. for several years. I now produce Christian backing track CDs although not on a commercial level. I mention this because music played a big part of my life while I was in FCH. I loved listening to the radio and the popular songs of the day. Fortunately, Miss Bower often had on the radio. She also owned a record player through which I was introduced to a wide variety of music that left an indelible impression on me. It was actually only a couple of years or so after my leaving FCH that Elvis Presley bounced on to the music scene.

I also loved the radio serials. There was one such weekly program - Polly and Oliver - that we kids listened to religiously. An absolute MUST was the weekly series Journey Into Space led by the hero, Jet Morgan. I was passionate about astronomy and anything to do with space travel. I required my Journey Into Space 'fix' every week. I recall one time that I was sent to bed early for misbehaving and I had to miss an episode of the series. Now THAT was cruel and unusual punishment at its worst! I'm sure I must have been scarred for life. Hmmm, I wonder if I should put in a claim for compensation ...? :)

I recall the winters that we had in FCH. I had a passion for snow and we received oh, so much of it in that region ...mountainous snow drifts an' all. There were memorable nights (yes, NIGHTS) when the staff would organize a sledding event in a nearby - and a steep - pasture adjacent to Blackbrooke Road. The stars seems to blaze brighter in those days and they provided us with the required light. The evening was filled with the laughter and the enthusiasm of high spirited kids. We might have been freezing cold but somehow we didn't mind. What memories!

I'll probably be back with more recollections of FCH. Meanwhile, where IS everyone else who would have shared those same memories?

bresail

21-09-2008, 09:22

My previous posts were made in the defence of children and to highlight that children do have routes that they can follow to defend themselves.
Some of my posts have however, been taken out of context and quoted to suit the persons need to knock my posts. Doing this is against the law but here in cyberland, they hide behind a user name. They then, in a reply,suggest,
"bresail, this other thing you want to work on regarding >> ian huntley---
robert black and others---i thought this subject would be best on another
site away from fulwood cottage homes.--you could register and name it
whatever of your choosing, i would think there would be a good responds."
Suggesting that I am some ghoul.
I do not want to work on these offences and I certainly do not want to be misquoted.
Please reread what I did say on this subject.
I also did not start any posting on cruelty.
I responded to them.
On several occasions I have said that I was not treated cruelly in FCH.
Before I post anything I read all the previous posts.
I often wonder why, when I read posts, some people wish to attack certain of their fellow posters and it makes me uneasy. Are they hiding something? I give them the benefit of the doubt. No doubt some are and for their own reasons, so be it.
I have in the past written papers on educational psychology, for a known European psychological Journal.
This will, no doubt surprise my family, as they know so little about me, the years and my past estrangement from them have precluded certain facts from them.
So all I ask from anyone is not to misquote me.
Shout at me by all means but only shout the truth.
Part of this truth can be found by a regular look in the mirror and saying to yourself, " I know who you are!"
When I do this, I don't always like what I see.

bresail

21-09-2008, 09:38

Now a happy thought.
The winter of 1947 was a vicious one and being in FCH, we kids or at least the older ones, helped clear the snow around the cottages. The snow drifts were higher than we were and we were cold. The snow was pristine and so white, not the dirty muck that you got in town. We would have regular breaks in the gardener's shed, where we stood round an old glowing wooden stove and drank cocoa. We knew that we were doing something useful and felt proud so proud.
We even made time to make huge snowballs and snowmen.

glen

21-09-2008, 13:08

---------------------------------------
hi bresail, leave your thread where it is, i now trust your word that this is your last thread on cruellty.--that in itself as given me a lift and to some
others i might add. their are a small hand`ful left in this thread, i hope
they choose to follow the same path, and get people back on this site.
----------------------
bresail, this other thing you want to work on regarding >> ian huntley---
robert black and others---i thought this subject would be best on another
site away from fulwood cottage homes.--you could register and name it
whatever of your choosing, i would think there would be a good responds.
-------------------
watch this space over w/end on f,c,homes----cheers.
brian 1941.Hi I see you have been on this thread all of 6 months is it and already you are telling people what they can and cannot write about. I have been on this forum for quite a while now and i can tell you that by talking to other kids who were there about our experiences has helped me no end.I had bottled it up for years.now i am good with it so but out and let them say what they like ,after all thats what its there for.If you dont like it pick another thread.Isnt it good to get this out Bresail after all you are a licensed Psychologist,are you not

glen

21-09-2008, 13:16

glen

21-09-2008, 13:19

glen

21-09-2008, 13:53

Brian 1941.Are you Brian Kershaw ??.If not, why are you shy about putting your details on the forum.I might have been the girl you kissed :hihi:

bresail

21-09-2008, 14:19

Glen, as you know I am an ex-many things. I was also an ex-trained killer, as a soldier, An ex fisherman, an ex husband and an ex multi boyfriend.
I was a rubbish psychologist due to being unable to prevent transference from patient to me, despite the therapy I received. Most mental workers need to receive this, from a psychotherapist. So I am an ex psychologist too.
What I am now is a pacifist, non retired, a champion against injustice, a person who rails against bigotry and a great dog trainer.
This last accolade I use because the shepherds up here say so.
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled dogs yearning to breathe free,
And I will help them."
Apologies to, Emma Lazarus

bresail

21-09-2008, 14:35

From, what you have said above and in other posts, Glen.
I now know how that path appeared from the boys cottages to yours.
I thought that it was rabbits.

flyer

21-09-2008, 16:33

So many things must have changed very rapid in a short space of time,talk of boys meeting the girls ,my sister was in (I forget the#)but I never was able to see her to see her in 5 yrs,threat of torture & death for crossing that patch of grass,never saw but one xmas concert, did go to my 1st movie but only the rich kids who had money in their savings got to go,just to bad if you was an orphan,never did see the balance on leaving,My Mother would bring duck egg's(war time) and goodies once a month, never had a duck egg they all went down the Bull's gullet ,so in looking back the year and of course the house made such huge difference to one's stay,each and every experience must be taken on its own merit

flyer

21-09-2008, 22:58

b.ali

22-09-2008, 14:47

CathS

22-09-2008, 17:54

I don''t suppose anyone know what happened to Michael Gower?
He is my uncle but no one knows what happened to him. He would have been 1 when he was taken into the Cottage homes in 1945. I believe he stayed there until he was 16-18 before being adopted by a woman with the name Holmes?

Thanks

SputnikBoy

22-09-2008, 22:36

Having just moved from large city where the bad behave kids were a pain in the butt to a very peaceful very small town by the lake ,all but all the kids I've met have been super polite In fact bringing around pudding and cookie's as a welcome, So my feeling is Dr Spock had nothing to do with it just very good and involved parents.

Forgive me but I don't see what you write above as being anything to do with my reference to Dr. Spock and his effect on the raising of children (and their children) in general.

flyer

22-09-2008, 23:05

Forgive me but I don't see what you write above as being anything to do with my reference to Dr. Spock and his effect on the raising of children (and their children) in general.
I suppose what I'm saying is ,right or wrong I'm of the believe that the Dr Spock's of this world have no effect on the raising of other people's kids ,in the end only good parenting counts,just my believe but then again I believe the moon is made of cream cheese so what do I know:hihi::hihi::hihi:

bresail

23-09-2008, 04:02

Well said flyer. Spock is just a name that is bandied around in an attempt to add credence to inane statements. It was in fact our generation and our children's generation that started this so called "molly coddling" of the kids.
Spock's first popular book was published in 1946 and was of that era and for that era. The book did suggest that positive reinforcement eg; rewarding, good behaviour was more beneficial than, punishing, bad behaviour.
So, very few of us read Spock, the name however was positively reinforced, in 1966, by Star Trek's Mr Spock.
They should never be confused.
Both were good guys.

bresail

23-09-2008, 04:07

Flyer, did SS Enterprise ever go to the moon?
If so, did they find the cheese?.

mune10366

23-09-2008, 10:37

Hi I waqs in No 7 with that bitch FIELDS I still have the scars to prove it .my brother david was in there as well I was also in No 1 with that cruel woman hedge and anyone that was in there will never get it out of thiere minds we was scard for life I remember the clogs we wore .When we walked to school in a foot of snow and when we got in from school I was made to polish the clogs till they shon even though tey where wet and fields useto hit us with a broom shank I still have a lump on my head to this day I use to break in to the stores for chockbars for the rest of the lads as many of them will remember. I ran away a few times but always got cought and sent back to get another good hidding from both FIELDS and HEDGE
regard to all
wilfred unwin

flyer

23-09-2008, 13:54

Hi Wilf, not heard from you in Quite a while thought perhaps you'd took off to the south seas.I know what you're talking about as I remember you well and the beatings you took, my brother in#3 got a dose of the same and also at 73 still got the scars to prove it all the best Flyer

bresail

23-09-2008, 16:02

Wilf, I am the Rex you asked about on another thread, you were talking to my sister Glen. Yes I did go to Wellesley and then off to the merchant navy.
Do you use the Wellesley site online?

bresail

24-09-2008, 11:42

flyer

24-09-2008, 12:09

CathS, Glen may be able to make a start for you. She was definitely there during part of this period.
I think the first thing to do is try to establish which cottages looked after babies at that time. 1 to 8 can be ruled out I think. They were all boys. No 9 was younger kids and mixed I believe, so Sputnic was there at the same time.
I hope that someone will be able to help you.

Thornset Lodge was F.C.Hs baby home my sister was in there until about 3, some miles?away from Fullwood ,In 1945 #9 was just a holding cell until a spot could be found in one of the others

brian1941

24-09-2008, 12:24

---hi ya---play mates------i am back ---.
forget the credit crunch-----its have a laugh today.
here`s a few jokes passed on.
---------------
postman, is this letter for you? the name is smudged.
man, `no, it can`t be for me, my name is smith.
-----------------
what do people in yorkshire call e,bay?
ebaygum.
--------------
why did the blonde get on the roof?
she heard the drinks were on the house.
-----------------------
anyway, i hope i made some one smile.

sputnikboy, hi--
i did enjoy your readings, the one when we went to the flicks on friday nights,
i know they were boring, but it got us away from the house and >>4 walls<<
can you remember watching --buster keaton--keystone cops---charlie chaplin--
laurel/ hardy, others you might recall.
we used to laugh when the film fell off the spool, --did i get that right,
the thing that run the film on.
the hall would be in darkness, and we would be chatting and laughing.
one of the staff would rush over to switch on the lights,
hoping to catch someone, ---you could see there hands trembling,
dying to scutch -clip whatever.
---------
and them entertainments, yes the concerts on stage,
i remember two house mothers sitting on chairs and one would raise up and
sit on the back, for some reason she fell off--talk about laugh.
i laughed that hard and that much i wet myself.
i got a smack for that and one for being to giddy.
//// memories////.

SputnikBoy

24-09-2008, 12:25

CathS, Glen may be able to make a start for you. She was definitely there during part of this period.
I think the first thing to do is try to establish which cottages looked after babies at that time. 1 to 8 can be ruled out I think. They were all boys. No 9 was younger kids and mixed I believe, so Sputnic was there at the same time.
I hope that someone will be able to help you.

Cottage #9 occupants were solely boys ...except for the house-parent, of course.

SputnikBoy

24-09-2008, 13:03

Well said flyer. Spock is just a name that is bandied around in an attempt to add credence to inane statements. It was in fact our generation and our children's generation that started this so called "molly coddling" of the kids.

I don't really want to get into a debate about Dr. Benjamin Spock other than to defend myself from having made supposed 'inane' statements. Even my dictionary claims that Spock's book, The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care influenced the upbringing of children throughout the world. Spock influenced academic thought on child-rearing, the principle of which is taught at universities nation wide. Discipline has all but disappeared within the home and the school and we are now seeing the dire results of this. But anyway, this is off-topic.

Spock's first popular book was published in 1946 and was of that era and for that era.

'Fraid not. It was VERY popular in the 1960's. This was the era of the death of respect and courtesy.

The book did suggest that positive reinforcement eg; rewarding, good behaviour was more beneficial than, punishing, bad behaviour.

Yes, but many parents were not the sharpest tools in the pack and so they forgot that bad behavior actually DOES require SOME sort of penalty. But, again ...off-topic.

So, very few of us read Spock, the name however was positively reinforced, in 1966, by Star Trek's Mr Spock.

Yes, I agree. And though he must be getting on in years I do hope that the Enterprise' second-in-command-officer will continue to live long and prosper ...unlike Scotty and 'Bones' McCoy who boldly went where no man has ever returned some time ago.

bresail

24-09-2008, 15:50

I hate cut and paste or as I call it pick and choose. This time I will make an exception,
'Fraid not. It was VERY popular in the 1960's. This was the era of the death of respect and courtesy.
I fully agree, this was our era, so by inference we were the killers. I still respect people who deserve it. But I am courteous to all.
Yes, but many parents were not the sharpest tools in the pack and so they forgot that bad behavior actually DOES require SOME sort of penalty. But, again ...off-topic.
I used the term inane, it seems less insulting than the above. How many of these non sharp parents read it? Would they have understood it?
You and I and some of the other forumites here were of this era and I at least was a parent, you could have been.
I still have the copy of, "Baby and Child Care," that I bought in this period. So I have read it.
Now to further your knowledge of Dr Spock.
Read the mans non, pick and choose, own views nine years before his death.
You will be suprised at what he really suggested.
http://nospank.net/spock2.htm
If you want to debate further on this subject start a new thread and I may join you.
In the meantime we have a Lady to help find her uncle.
Your friend Brian is talking about cruelty in FCH again.

bresail

24-09-2008, 16:04

flyer

24-09-2008, 16:36

Flyer, I think that I was in No.9 for a little while until they found a place for me in No 8.
They definitely had girls though in a separate bedroom.
I remember that as the oldest I had to clean all the shoes girls and boys. I also had to settle them in bed and calm down the crying kids.
This training came in handy for when I was a sergeant in the army.

Yes I remember so very little about # 9 only in it for a short while & that was in 1939 a lot of water under the bridge since then:confused::confused::confused:

bresail

24-09-2008, 19:50

Something just popped into my head.
I believe it was called, "The Receiving House."
Was there more than one?

flyer

24-09-2008, 20:03

Something just popped into my head.
I believe it was called, "The Receiving House."
Was there more than one?

I'm sure that was #9 in1939

bresail

24-09-2008, 20:21

Where are all the girls when we need them?
That's what I think flyer.

SputnikBoy

25-09-2008, 05:35

I hate cut and paste or as I call it pick and choose. This time I will make an exception,

I didn't 'pick and choose'. I addressed your post 'as is'.

I fully agree, this was our era, so by inference we were the killers. I still respect people who deserve it. But I am courteous to all.

That's nice. By the way, I note the ironic tone of your post, but that's okay. I'm pretty thick-skinned these days ...after all, I DID survive the 'horrific' years I spent in FCH. :)

I'm not saying that Spock was 'responsible' for the actions of others. We're all responsible for our own actions. WHOEVER was responsible for the laxity in regard to discipline for children ...it happened. And, we're worse off for it. More so, the state has now become the 'surrogate' parent of today's children. Try paddling the butt of a kid today or even showing them affection in public and you may well get a visit from the local government-salaried 'do gooders'.

I used the term inane, it seems less insulting than the above. How many of these non sharp parents read it? Would they have understood it?

Yes, I guess the term I used to describe some parents WAS pretty insulting. It might have even been true. Be that as it may, I would assume that even non-sharp parents have the ability to string sentences together. As for whether or not they actually understood it ...probably not.

You and I and some of the other forumites here were of this era and I at least was a parent, you could have been.

Yes, what with the wife and her blocked 'tubes' which surgery failed to remedy . . . Thanks for reminding me of that. She did, however, produce one child (son) who I became step-father to.

I still have the copy of, "Baby and Child Care," that I bought in this period. So I have read it.
Now to further your knowledge of Dr Spock.
Read the mans non, pick and choose, own views nine years before his death.
You will be suprised at what he really suggested.
http://nospank.net/spock2.htm
If you want to debate further on this subject start a new thread and I may join you.

Nah, I'll pass. I only need to look at the present generation of kids and their parents to realize that someone screwed up. Again, I'm generalizing.

In the meantime we have a Lady to help find her uncle.

Fine. But I'm sure that some of us are capable of multi-tasking.

Your friend Brian is talking about cruelty in FCH again.

I don't know what you mean.

bresail

25-09-2008, 08:43

Your posts here,are all answered by yourself and so are your prejudices. SputnikBoy. Thank you Dr. Spock and his academic contemporaries and his myriad of mindless followers for this situation. Avoiding the potential for cruelty and abuse is one thing ...allowing and encouraging freedom from any responsibilty in our kids is another.
SputnikBoy.
I don't really want to get into a debate about Dr. Benjamin Spock other than to defend myself from having made supposed 'inane' statements.

Quote:
Originally Posted by flyer View Post
Having just moved from large city where the bad behave kids were a pain in the butt to a very peaceful very small town by the lake ,all but all the kids I've met have been super polite In fact bringing around pudding and cookie's as a welcome, So my feeling is Dr Spock had nothing to do with it just very good and involved parents.
.
SputnikBoy. Forgive me but I don't see what you write above as being anything to do with my reference to Dr. Spock and his effect on the raising of children (and their children) in general
SputnikBoy. Yes, but many parents were not the sharpest tools in the pack and so they forgot that bad behavior actually DOES require SOME sort of penalty. But, again ...off-topic.

Originally Posted by bresail
You and I and some of the other forumites here were of this era and I at least was a parent, you could have been.
SputnikBoy. Yes, what with the wife and her blocked 'tubes' which surgery failed to remedy . . . Thanks for reminding me of that. She did, however, produce one child (son) who I became step-father to.

Now that was a very nasty thing to say. I was unaware of this and I have not and would not bring up the subject of either your wife or stepson, for obvious reasons.
Now that you have gone for the sympathy vote and included you personal life, I will now draw an end to my contributions to your off topic Dr Spock theme.
I sincerely feel sorry for you.
Shame on you.

bresail

25-09-2008, 09:15

CathS. During my many trawls on this forum. I did see a post somewhere on who and where to contact for information on lost relatives.
Can I suggest that the local Social services may have access to old records, or at least may point you in the right direction.
A personal visit to them would be the best. Emails are not always read or even responded to.
Meanwhile I will start a trawl.

flyer

27-09-2008, 13:44

glen

28-09-2008, 03:36

Something just popped into my head.
I believe it was called, "The Receiving House."
Was there more than one?

Yes bresail there was two recieving houses no 10 and 11.That was like being in court awaiting our fate.However there was a great person in there Florence Laybery anyone remember her ? Also play nice with sputnick life is too short. :love::love::thumbsup:

glen

28-09-2008, 03:41

glen

28-09-2008, 03:50

yes i do remember the snow reaching the crossbar of the gas lamps at the top of blackbrook road , in 1947 feb it snowed for a full week non stop.and the italians dug us out .we also pulled sledges from the bottom black brook road with all the store from the vans as thy could not get up the hill.we had three week off school. benali

Hi There.I remember all of that white fluffy stuff.Thank goodness i dont see it anymore.We werent there when you had to be dug out but it must have been great fun.Got there about 1949.I remember the drifts being over the roof so we couldnt go to school dont know if that was good or bad because we couldnt play either,spent the day cleaning as usual. cheers:thumbsup:

bresail

28-09-2008, 11:26

flyer

28-09-2008, 14:10

Glen,
I will be nice to all but, I expect the same in return.
I use both of the wisdoms.
First, I turn the other cheek.
If that doesn't work, then it's an eye for an eye.
The Bible told me so.
So where were the babies housed?

Baby was housed at Thornset Lodge ,went on a short van ride to visit my sister, i think twice because this was stopped due to war time petrol ration,I seem to remember they moved to F.C.H at 3 or 4,if my foggy memory is right Roy Lindsey was the youngest we had in #2 he was about 3-4 in 1941ish

flyer

30-09-2008, 22:38

Does the name Turner ring any bells,he was in #8 1940ish -46 he was my best pal going to the Fullwood village school, well between him and Unwin I them remember well but for different reasons

glen

03-10-2008, 15:43

I've been looking on this thread for 3 years now & there's been so many who contributed in the past & have now vanished,I think that just maybe the raking up of old wounds while helpful to some,others find it a little painful.
HI FLYER .I AGREE WITH YOU IN ONE WAY ,BUT I TELL YOU THAT TALKING ON THIS FORUM ABOUT MY TIME IN 17 HAS HELPED ME TO GET EVERYTHING OF MY CHEST.I FEEL MUCH BETTER FOR IT NOW SO THANK YOU TO ALL

brian1941

05-10-2008, 15:47

Hi Tommy/mary,
Thanks For That Phone Call That Time, But Lets Know When
Your Coming But Dont Rush If Tommy`s Not Doing To Well, This Cold
Weather Gets On My Chest.---but Anyway, Sadly As I Said The Site Is
Deterioating. My Family And Freinds Think This Site Should Have Been
In Some-ut Like 100/200 In Pages.
Well I Will Just Plod On----/// Heh Tommy/// I Was Playing Some Old 50s
C/ds Friday Night, They Took Me Back A Bit- But When Not Played For
Ages, They Are More Appreciated Arn`t They.
Lets Go Through Some With You,
1950, April Love= Pat Boone
== === Singing The Blues==guy Mitchell.
===== Just Walking In The Rain==jonnie Ray.
==== Good Night Irene==ernest Tubbs.
====mule Train==ernie Ford.
=== Hey, There You With The Stars In Your Eyes==rosemary Clooney.
=== One Of My Favourite`s Was-// Mr Sand Man --dont Remember The Singer
Me And Some Other Lads From Homes, were always singing that song
In School Yard--hunters Bar, Tommy Have You Any That Sticks In
Your Mind.

glen

06-10-2008, 00:11

Hi Tommy/mary,
Thanks For That Phone Call That Time, But Lets Know When
Your Coming But Dont Rush If Tommy`s Not Doing To Well, This Cold
Weather Gets On My Chest.---but Anyway, Sadly As I Said The Site Is
Deterioating. My Family And Freinds Think This Site Should Have Been
In Some-ut Like 100/200 In Pages.
Well I Will Just Plod On----/// Heh Tommy/// I Was Playing Some Old 50s
C/ds Friday Night, They Took Me Back A Bit- But When Not Played For
Ages, They Are More Appreciated Arn`t They.
Lets Go Through Some With You,
1950, April Love= Pat Boone
== === Singing The Blues==guy Mitchell.
===== Just Walking In The Rain==jonnie Ray.
==== Good Night Irene==ernest Tubbs.
====mule Train==ernie Ford.
=== Hey, There You With The Stars In Your Eyes==rosemary Clooney.
=== One Of My Favourite`s Was-// Mr Sand Man --dont Remember The Singer
Me And Some Other Lads From Homes, Alwaye Were Singing That Song
In School Yard--hunters Bar, Tommy Have You Any That Sticks In
Your Mind. This site was started for f.c.h. so if you dont like it anymore ,dont go into it.Unlike you some of us enjoy having a winge.Shouldnt this last post been sent as a private message ???

SputnikBoy

06-10-2008, 04:50

This site was started for f.c.h. so if you dont like it anymore ,dont go into it.

Actually, this thread didn't start out as one for FCH but it 'evolved' into one as more and more responses were posted.

Unlike you some of us enjoy having a winge.

:D Yes, I agree. A 'gripe' about something every now and again helps us to bond with other 'gripers'.

Shouldnt this last post been sent as a private message ???

Yes, it would seem so. It was addressed to Tommy and Mary. It's as though we're evesdropping. :)

By the way, what songs do you recall from your FCH days? I gave a few of my song memories some posts back.

glen

06-10-2008, 13:39

Actually, this thread didn't start out as one for FCH but it 'evolved' into one as more and more responses were posted.

:D Yes, I agree. A 'gripe' about something every now and again helps us to bond with other 'gripers'.

Yes, it would seem so. It was addressed to Tommy and Mary. It's as though we're evesdropping. :)

By the way, what songs do you recall from your FCH days? I gave a few of my song memories some posts back.
Theres no place like home.( not meaning anything by that because it wasnt a happy place was it.)Thats just a song i used to sing on the concerts in the big hall.I cant ever remember hearing a radio.How dull.Where is the proper f.c.h.site ? i might want to have another gripe.Are you online?

glen

06-10-2008, 13:43

No, I notice youre not.I wish just once someone would be on line at the same time as i.When we are up all the forumers are asleep zzz.Should i have written this here.??

SputnikBoy

06-10-2008, 14:19

No, I notice youre not.I wish just once someone would be on line at the same time as i.When we are up all the forumers are asleep zzz.Should i have written this here.??

Actually I AM online at 12:20am (Tuesday) but I have to head for bed shortly. Work tomorrow.

brian1941

07-10-2008, 13:07

hi tommy/mary,
did you remember the family favourites radio show in f,c.h 1940/50s.
i know it came on at sunday around 12 midday till 2-oopm,
we would miss about 3/4 hour of the radio, as we all had fulwood church to attend.
that big hill to climb on the way home.
sunday dinner would just be served up when we got back,---hey---them yorkshire
puddings and them songs on radio and all us sat round that big table.
//yes// 14 of us sat round that table, //ho// and the house mother at the top.
hey--what about them ice cream for deserts, but she made sure you had eaten
your dinner first. she would send one lad up to the office to collect the ice cream,
that was done in turns every sunday,---i use to dread it when it was my turn--
because i would miss the record charts on the radio.
some times they was a spare ice cream or two, as someone didnt want theirs.
//phew// i feel full now with all them puddings and ice cream,
i will be back when i have rested mi tummy--- phew ---

flyer

07-10-2008, 14:09

No, I notice youre not.I wish just once someone would be on line at the same time as i.When we are up all the forumers are asleep zzz.Should i have written this here.??
sure you should always pleased to hear fm you,buts lets see U.K is 5hrs ahead of us you must be around 15hrs at a wild guess so what is the diff' between you and U.K?::confused::confused::confused:

brian1941

08-10-2008, 12:04

Hi Tommy And All, And All, And All.
Another Radio Station--sing Something Simple On Sunday Evenings,
6-00 Pm And In The Winter On The Dark Nights When We Did`nt Play Out.
We 14 Kids Would Pull Up Our Chairs, Sit Round The Fire And The House
Mother In The Middle,>> Yes You`ve Said It<< We Would BE SINGING THE OLD
Songs, The Mother Learnt Us Loads Of Songs And We Would Tap Our
Feet--clap Our Hands--sing In Turns, I Must Admit We Did Get The
Words Wrong----here I Have A Song Coming On---remember This--
Put Your Arms Around Me Honey---on A Slow Boat To China--
Deep In The Heart Of Texas---i`ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Times.
Yes, The Songs Just Kepted Going On And On And On.
Fun And Laughter And Not For Getting The Memories, My Family And
Their`s Family Still Sing Them Now, They Think There Better Than
Some Of The Rubbish They Play Today.>> How Right They Are.
Hey--then Came Along---chas And Dave With Their Old Time Boogie Songs,
Barefoot Days--now Is The Hour--if I Knew You Were Comin-i`d Have
Baked A Cake. Them Songs Will Never Fade Away.
P.s. Funny Enough---my Family Asked Me To Sort Out Some Old Songs
As We Have A Party Coming Up Soon. >> Drink-drink-merry-merry Cant Wait.

glen

12-10-2008, 10:45

sure you should always pleased to hear fm you,buts lets see U.K is 5hrs ahead of us you must be around 15hrs at a wild guess so what is the diff' between you and U.K?::confused::confused::confused:
HI Flyer.I think we are 10 hours now as we have just gone on daylight savings,Talk about confused ,I go 5 minutes up the highway to visit my Daughter and i leave my place at say 2pm and i arrive there at 1-05pm as she is in Queensland and i am in New South Wales.Its good sometimes though if i miss the bank in N,S.W i just go round the corner and they are open for another hour. :huh::confused:

brian1941

12-10-2008, 11:46

I know i like coming on this site, but my younger nephew thinks i live on it.
he asked me to put this song on threads, i sung it to him when he was growing up.
i dont know who made it up but we used to sing it in f-c-homes.
<< if you know it --join in >>
( song )
we are the fulwood boys
we never make no noise,
we learn all our manners
on spending our tanners
we are the cottage homes boys.
by, b cornthorpe.

flyer

17-10-2008, 22:47

HI Flyer.I think we are 10 hours now as we have just gone on daylight savings,Talk about confused ,I go 5 minutes up the highway to visit my Daughter and i leave my place at say 2pm and i arrive there at 1-05pm as she is in Queensland and i am in New South Wales.Its good sometimes though if i miss the bank in N,S.W i just go round the corner and they are open for another hour. :huh::confused:

yes only in oz for a short time got strike bound in port when in the M.N had to stay for 6weeks so had a little look around

brian1941

21-10-2008, 11:47

<< song>>- WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE
LONG TIME PASSING,
WHERE HAVE////LA--LA SUM-UT LIKE THAT<, FORGOT THE WORDS>>
I`LL TRY SOMUT DIFFERENT.
WHERE HAVE ALL THE PEOPLE GONE
LONG TIME PASSING,
WHERE HAVE ALL THE PEOPLE GONE
LONG TIME NO SEE,
WHERE HAVE ALL THE PEOPLE GONE
GONE AWAY--BUT WILL BE BACK, ??
WHEN WILL THEY EVER LEARN--WHEN WILL THEY EVER LEARN.

mune10366

21-10-2008, 17:02

Hi Adrin back again I think we are talking about the house at the bottom of the grass field . There was 2 together it did not have a number that was thew house I went to first I got my hair cut and washed with parafin or something like it Adrian when I was at sea I spent a while in Queensland I jumpt ship there and got a job cutting suger cane I started in Brisbane the n to Townsville then to Urangan the to Cairns then to mackay.I got my mane in the local paper playing cricket then the Imegration court me and made me jion a ship to come home I was aT SEA FOR FIFTEEN YEARS the best years of my life I worked on ships till I retired Keep well Arian
Wilf:thumbsup::thumbsup:

b.ali

21-10-2008, 18:29

Does the name Turner ring any bells,he was in #8 1940ish -46 he was my best pal going to the Fullwood village school, well between him and Unwin I them remember well but for different reasons
yes I remember Raymond Turner he got adopted he lived Aterclif I also know Kershaw,HE WAS BEST PAL.

flyer

21-10-2008, 19:00

yes I remember Raymond Turner he got adopted he lived Aterclif I also know Kershaw,HE WAS BEST PAL.
would ray turner fit the time frame #8 around the war years?

flyer

21-10-2008, 19:12

Munne if we're talking Thornsett Lodge that was some drive away from FCH it was for baby and up to 3-4 ,the two house's at the bottom were intake #9 and maybe 10 well that was in 39 i think i was in for 3-4 days most its been a long time regards Adrian

flyer

21-10-2008, 19:17

munne just how long was you in oz ,15yrs at sea did you retire rich found that pirate gold in Mackay ? HHmmm

flyer

21-10-2008, 19:22

munne again you never did answer my question does the making of HORSE sweets and selling them in the Fullwood school ring any bells or are you trying to kid me by pretending not to know what I'm talking about.

brian1941

02-11-2008, 12:16

<<< folwood cottage homes------ christmas 1949>>>.
-------------- bullying by a bully boy ??? ------
---------- my story i wont forget-------
----------------------------------------------------
christmas eve was exciting and us lads had just put the finishing touch to the
decora`tion. the tree had been up earl`ier in the week, and we did somewhat
over load it, but there was a reason for that.( tell you soon).
well, time was getting late and we had to get our clean clothes out for the next day
then off to bed we did. just befor we closed our eyes we had a guess what we
might be getting, the house mother would be stood at the bottom stairs shouting
no more talking and go to sleep.
// christmas day morning// after breakfast we did our usual jobs wash/dry the pots
and a little tidying up. the house mother had some lads to put 14 chairs down one
side of the room, about 3ft from the skirting board.
that was our play area for the morning and if you came away without permission
<< well, she would do a wobb`ler>> -- the plan was that we did`nt get under her
feet, whilst she was doing the dinner and setting the table.
on each chair was your christmas present or presents, some had more than others
as family`s from outside would provide some gifts ( lucky kids).
on one to ten- we opened our parcels and with excitement we shared the time
looking at each others presents.
we also had nuts/apple/orange/choc`s------ my parcel was so tightly wrapped
it took ages to open, < well> my eyes lit up when i got a dinky toy, yes with a
cabin with trailer and 10 wheels.-- during the morning i asked the mother if i could
use the outside toilet, we was only aloud to use the indoor at nights.
when i got back to play someone took some tyre`s of the wheels and now i
could`nt play with it.-- i asked the boys and with a flick of the shoulders know
one knew, the last thing i wanted was to ask this bully boy < long history>
he was always bullying me and the lads and we never stood up to him.
the mother came over and did a check on us and to be on guard as the superinten`dent
was visiting all the houses to wish us all a happy christmas.
<< the mother noticed my head in my hands and asked why i was`nt playing like
the rest of the boys, one lad spoke up and said << miss>> someone has took
is tyre`s of is toy. she stopped play and had us all sat on chairs till someone
owned up. i tried my hardest not to clash eyes with this bully boy, but took a
sneaky look and he clenched is fist at me.
by now that part of the morning had gone and dinner time was upon us,
chairs was put back to the table we sat and said grace and dinner was served.
the mother did make a point of reminding for that person to own up or they will
not be any games after dinner. well, we all pulled the crackers and party hats
on our heads, the mother said no dinners to be left on plates or we would`nt be
getting christmas pudding.
i always made sure there was some room left in my tummy, as i always loved
the pudding and that surprise of finding the silver threepenny bit inside.
// ho// and not forgetting that loverly white sauce--yum-yum.
well again, the pots washed/wiped the kids running in/out every doors, slidding on
the floors in their stocking feet. we knew we was getting on the mothers nerve`s
and somethink was going on in the kitchen as she had the doors shut.
// guess what// the bully had owned up to taking the tyer`s < said it was a joke>
we heard such a smack in the kitchen we all stopped in our tracks, we looked at
each other--was it in fright, or a relieve for us with a smirky grin on our faces.
whilst this was going on in the kitchen i remined the boys it was my birthday on
boxing day. shall we be having another party one lad said--in a soft voice i replied
i dont know. anyway the games began.
the thing i said ear`lier about over loading the christmas tree was we would take it in
turns, have one guess how many items on the tree--the one spot on or near that
number would get the first pick from the tree on 1st jan new year.
( ho them chocs).---- well the superintendent poped in our house had a chat and
we sung some carols, when he had gone we had games all afternoon but still having
to look over our shoulders with this bully boy.
he`d pretend to play with you then when no one was looking he would thump you
in the back.
<< well does`nt time fly--tea time now>>
we would all help the mother to set table, cor, them them buns. never be tempted
to touch one--some kid would snitch.
we said grace and got stuck in those loverly triangled sandwiches and followED BY
the fruit/jelly/buns/tarts/christmas cake and not forgetting the pulling of the crackers.
we all took it in turns telling the jokes from the crackers.
well, the day was coming to the end we cleared the table pots washed/wiped,
had about 1hours more play then would do the hand/face wash.
the mother aired our pyjamas over the fire guard, once we had put them on she
would tell us a short story- followed by a cuddle.
that was my christmas and not forgetting how my day was spoilt by the bully
and still fearing the worst to come from a big bully boy.
bye now b.cornthorpe.

brian1941

03-11-2008, 21:24

<< continuation--1949>>
----( boxing day)----the day i thought i was to die---
---------------
today we played game round the table, painting/drawing/stencilling/ board games,
the house mother told the lads of my birthday today, they all sung happy birthday
to me as i opened my present. << i had a pen and biro set>>
i`am sure hanging on to this and not letting it out of my sight i thought.
the mother said to be on our best behav`iour after yesterday`s upset , or we
would be spending the day in bed.
the mother had come down stairs into the dining room and asked if anyone had
an accident to the bed sheets,--in our house we had a few bed wetters.
lads use to be frightened to own up as there was always a smack bottom,
she called it naught`y boy.
two lads in the kitchen would fill a tub of hot water from the boiler,
and wash them and hang them outside to dry.
we only sent laundry out once a week, thats how we managed.
<< just out of the blue>> from the kitchen was sceaming/shouting, some of us kids
ran in there and this bully was trying to put the lads fingers through the wooden mangle.
the bully boy said he was going to tell the lasses and school mates about them
wetting the bed.
it was looking ugly this fighting and even though i feared for myself , i charged in
to help the lads.-- the bully got the best of me and put his hands over my
nose and mouth.
i was sort of kicking and pulling his hands off my face, i vague`ly heard a kid shouting
for the house mother,-- the next i was coming round with smelling salts laid out
on the kitchen table.
the mother sent for the superintendent and he was removed from the house
<< hip-hip-hooray>>.
things did carm down towards tea time, and i was looking forward to my birthday
cake.-- we had a small tea party with sandwiches/jelly/fruit/and my cake with
candles. ( not telling you how many).
after tea we played games for a short time,but we could feel the anxiety setting in.
we all felt distessed and the mother had enough.
she called bed time to us all we did`nt get a story tonight--just a cuddle.
the bully boy who was moved to another house, we heard he was fighting with some
lad and the house mother was involved, he had thrown some cutlery at her
she was taken to hospital with a cut eye and needed stitches.
he was event`ually move away from fulwood cottage homes, and went to a place
called<< hollow meadow`s>> homes for nasty and backwards boys.
<< my sister was bullied while she was their>>
most houses had bully boys/girls, some weird ones.