Court Lodge Children's Home

I can't see my comment to peters post ?

Hi Carina, I just got an e-mail saying you had commented but when I clicked the link, it said page cannot be found. Did you get my private message ok?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1665102100369877/ Group for Court Lodge residents

Hi anyone remember me.....Chris Hepden!

Hi Chris, I remember you, we used to play together, come and join out Facebook group, link is in an earlier message. Alan Richards is there and he also remembers you. I even have a photograph on permanent display with you, Katrina, Paul, Steven, Jackie and myself taken on the steps. Be great to hear from you.

I was sent here sometime in teh 1950's. I was the youngest of 4 siblins destined for Australia. My mum and dad had split and mum was determined to make a new life in Australia.
Basically mum and dad had some fierce arguments, sometimes coming to blows. These were very scary to a young child, dad was stern and a bit frightening.
One day mum announced she was leaving dad and we were all going to emigrate to Australia. I think it could have been over the arguments but maybe tied in with his drinking etc.
Anyway soon after on a Sunday we were told to say goodbye to dad, he had gone to bed (a regular Sunday afternoon practice of his), when I went into their bedroom he was sobbing (the only other time he cried was when he learnt mum had terminal cancer).
Then off we went by train to the children’s home in Kent. The story was we were to stay there until our transport to Australia was arranged when we would travel with mum on board a ship. Not sure how long we stayed. But one day mum and Dad turned up, told us they were reconciled and we were all taken home. Being quite young I don't remember any trepidation about this event or surprise at its conclusion.
The children’s home was a large country house called 'Court House with many bedrooms of different sizes in Kent,
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Downe/@51.3112407,0.107215,127a,35y,269.88h,45t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x47df54cb87081cd9:0xc2f7d48f9b59089!8m2!3d51.3286548!4d0.0553793
At the time it was called John Howard Mitchell House and operated by the Fairbridge Society.
We were separated into different bedrooms (probably age and gender driven) but would see each other a lot. We all attended the village school which seemed tiny compared to our London school. That's when we mixed with the local kids. I don't remember any bullying, maybe my two bigger brothers ensured we were OK?
I do remember that if a local kid saw you doing something that was naughty they'd warn us
“you'll get wrong” rather than 'get into trouble'
Of course in recent years the horrors faced by these waifs in Australia are now being exposed so we may have had a lucky escape.

Dear Philip,
It's very nice to hear from someone who stayed at John Howard Mitchell House (Court Lodge). Although you were a fairbridge kid and I know that was a nightmare, you are very welcome to join Peter's group on Facebook. It's called Court Lodge. After Fairbridge the children's society took it over in 1964. Myself and Peter were residents there for a while. Please consider joining it would be great to have some of you Fairbridge kids on board. I will let Peter know that you posted. He is a francisfrith member also. Let me be the first to wish you a happy new year. Please keep on posting. Regards, Alan.

Hi Chris, long time no hear. I hope all is well with you.

Hello Bob Beadell, after my time but your name is well known to us, please join our Court Lodge Facebook group, messages tend to get hidden here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1665102100369877/?ref=bookmarks

Hello Peter,

I remember talking to you a few years back on another site. I just applied to join the group.

All the best, be lucky.

Remember you, Chris? How can I forget the fun and laughter you bought to school with your partner in crime Chas? To this day I don't think Manda likes spiders - remember the one down the back of her dress?! I have been trying to trace Margaret Pollard - my nickname for her was Piggy - but she just disappeared.....is the Bob here related to Wayne and Debbie? Spent hours at CL as a young teenager with Suzi Powell, Billy, Wayne and co .....left knockholt at 17 but parents stayed in village. Jenny Brown that was, or maybe Jenny Wallis after I was 10 or 11, ....get in touch, yes?