Pinehurst Childrens Home, Park Rd Camberley
Memories of Camberley come from my childhood days as an orphan residing at 'Pinehurst', a Surrey County Child Welfare Home 1949-1953. I was put there as a 9-year-old and recall spending a very happy part of my youth there. I attended a primary school, the name of which my memory refuses to recall (Park Road?). Later on I attended France Hill House School, the headmaster being a Mr Steele. 'Pinehurst' Children's Home was on Park Road above the railway crossing. Next door to 'Pinehurst' was Elmhurst Ballet School and I remember the rumour of famous film star John Mills's daughter, Juliet Mills, taking up ballet there. The grounds around the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst was always an interesting place we visited. Our guardians at the orphanage were Jimmy and Robyn Ewart. I kept in touch with them and visited them in their retirement in Bristol with my wife's family in 1983. They have both since passed away. Knocking on the front door at 'Pinehurst' with my wife on our 1983 visit I told the person at the door, a male, of my youth spent there. His reply was "So what," and shut the door in our faces. In 1954 I was fostered out to a family living not far away, now called Maywood, Camberley. They lived at 'Chapel Pines"', an old church converted, and where the Queen apparently learned to drive during the war. In my days Portsmouth Road was the address. Just up the road the Jolly Farmer dissected the London and Portsmouth roads. Gibbet Hill was also an historic road I used a lot. My foster mum was a famed Camberley resident, actress Jean Heywood of 'When the Boats Come In' and many more TV series. I visited Camberley again in 1995. The station was still there and the main High Street just as I remembered it. Nothing had seemed to change. I married a New Zealand lady and have lived in NZ since 1969. 'Pinehurst' and Camberley are a big part of my young life and the memories are ones of happiness. Is there anyone else who recalls any of the names and places mentioned?
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RE: RE: Pinehurst Children's Home, Park Road, Camberley
It was in 1997 that I too decided to revisit Pinehurst although it was now an old people's home. Memories really did come flooding back - and they were good memories! It was 1980 when Reigate juvenile court put me into care and Pinehurst was my first port of call. I was to remain there for little more than 1 year before moving on to other establishments, Pentlands, Latchmere Hse, SEND, Woodruffe, Kinton, the list goes on and on. My 1 year in Pinehurst was a good year - there wasn't gonna be another one for a long LONG time.
Comment from Graeme Bosun on Wednesday, 21st April 2010.
RE: RE: Pinehurst Childrens Home, Park Rd Camberley
Hi Graeme. You seem to have been placed in Pinehurst almost 30yrs after my sojourn there. Yes, they were happy memories. We had no TV or the tech things kids have today. Purchase my book "Oceans Of Time." The first twenty pages recount life my adolescent life at Pinehurst and with foster parents. I joined the Merchant Navy sailing round the world for 14yrs before emmigrating to NZ, marrying a NZ girl. I spent the next 34 yrs in the NZ Merchant Navy. My book recounts my life and times during my 48yr sea career and family life.
If you feel like telling me more about your life I'm used to listening.
Kind Regards
Dave Share
Wellington NZ
Comment from David Share on Thursday, 22nd April 2010.
RE: RE: Pinehurst Childrens Home, Park Rd Camberley
Yes, I remember Pinehurst and Elmhurst well - I would pass them every day on the way to France Hill school where I'd tremble at Headmaster Steele's voice and was nearly overcome by the sickly perfume worn by Headmistress Aitken. From the mid 1950's to 1960's I lived along Crawley Ridge at the top of the Church Hill and sang in St Paul's choir. I was always fascinated by the Elmhurst Ballet girls who attended morning service - always so immaculately turned out. I have just learned that in 2004 Elmhurst was relocated to Birmingham of all places! So, like Pinehurst, it is no more - I wonder what has happened to the place now - hopefully not occupied by someone who answers the door with a "so what" attitude. I too now live overseas - Australia but I keep in touch with some Camberley school friends through Face Book.
Comment from Liz Schultz on Thursday, 12th August 2010.
RE: RE: Pinehurst Childrens Home, Park Road, Camberley
Hi Liz. Wonderful to hear from another Camberley resident. My time there as you read in my previous post was in the the early 1950s, leaving Camberley in 1956 to join the merchant navy. I also sang in St Paul's choir. As I remember the church was situated at the top of Church Hill? I see you remember France Hill headmaster Mr Steele? Elmhurst Ballet School was next door to Pinehurst and was always big news in Camberley. The move to Birmingham sounds out of kilter to a once sophisticated school? I've lived in New Zealand's capital, Wellington, since 1969. Best move I ever made! Retired and enjoying it. Where in Australia do you reside? Regards, Dave
Comment from David Share on Thursday, 12th August 2010.
RE: RE: Pinehurst Childrens Home, Park Road, Camberley
I was at Pinehurst from 1963 to 1965 and absolutely detested it. My abiding memory is of the headmaster, a Mr Goldsmit who stood by whilst his teenage son inflicted pain and humiliation on those of us who were easy victims. I was 9 and the memories stay with me even today. Having served 35 years in the military, serving around the world I would dearly love to meet him now.
Comment from Michael Stevens on Monday, 28th March 2011.
RE: RE: Pinehurst Childrens Home, Park Rd Camberley
I remember Pinehurst very well. I was born in Camberley (in 1948, above Dolton, Bourne and Dolton in the High Street) and my father was a member of Rotary and my mother was a member of the ladies' branch, Inner Wheel.
In the late 1950s/early 60s every Christmas my mother wrapped presents for each of the children at Pinehurst. My job was to hand her each present and "check" that she had got the correct name!
Each year on Bonfire Night there was a big bonfire at Pinehurst and attending that was one of the higlights of the year for me. In addition to the fireworks I well remember the baked jacket potatoes that were served to everyone.
I now live in Manchester (where my father was born and brought up) but I have visited Camberley in recent years. By and large it has coped well with the passage of time, better than me probably!
Comment from Michael Painter on Tuesday, 3rd May 2011.