The Pool House

The Cottage Homes 1908
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I was a resident at the cottage homes from about 1960 for a few years, and again in the later 1960s and early 1970s. The building on the right is where the swimming pool was. We used to collect the key from the lodge at the front gates. There were 12 houses, all named after trees. Hawthorn House, Laurel House, Laburnham House and so on. We had orchards behind the houses on the right, a sports field and sick bay right up the top on the right. Behind the houses on the left you could see Harrow Lodge Park and the swimming pool complex. I remember the Candy Box sweet shop, Hornchurch bus garage and my first school, St Mary's. I think they were happy years, even though we were in care. I remember the years fondly.