Alverstoke, Little Church, National Children's Home c.1960

Photo ref: A42036

I was at Alverstoke Childrens Home as a baby (I remember the hospital within the grounds and the beach being near by) till I left at 16 (1960ish - a Mr Thomas was in charge then). I remember a boy then named Oliver... playing the organ at the little church (as it was known). I used to sing with the other girls and boys in the choir most Sundays, at weddings etc. If I remember I used to live in the house ...see more

I was there from 1963 -1965. I remember the day we wandered off to the church, Anne , Tracy and I. Tracy fell in the fish pond. It was a very scary/funny memory for me, I was about 4 I think. Also Sister Ivy Bell married my father David Peacock at this church in July, 1965.. Lorrell Peacock.

This little church was called St Francis' and was linked with St Mary's Alverstoke (where I used to go in the 1960s and 1970s). St Francis' was attached to the Children's Home, where Oliver McFarlane who worked on the BBC programme "Blue Peter" had been a resident. There used to be a little fountain in the middle of the pond outside St Francis, with a statue of that saint.

My little brother broke his arm while playing by the church, as a big gust of wind picked him up and blew him into the wall, believe it or not.