The Gables Boys Home.1960s.

A Memory of Maldon.

I was at the Gables Boys Home for approx a year and a half, from 1966 to half way through 1967, I was taken there because I was always bunking off school, and the little tin god authorities in those days decided that was best for me. I have great memories of Maldon through the home; the marina which I think is closed now, the boats, quaint little houses and cottages. I have to say that Bill Gosling who ran the place was always ok to me. He had an accident to his foot while using a petrol mower, I guess that might have been the reason why I am reading he only had one leg. He was ok when I left in 1967. I have great memories of The Gables, although some bad memories. There were some older lads who were absolute bullies and when I left I remember thinking that when I got older I would go back and seek them out, however memories fade and you forget... I remember when I was 17 and had grown to 6 feet tall, going back to the place. I was looking for a certain older lad who I was going to beat the hell out of... but he had left! I never bothered again. All in all the place was something out of the past, I am sure nothing like it could ever be used as a Boys Home again.