For all the local information go to the main entry for Orpington

• Re: St joseph school by Robert spelman (Member 10261924) on 1-Nov-2011
  hi there my names Robert spelman does anyone remember me people like david ward paul machon,I used to go to david wards mothers once a month,when she lived in peckam

• Re: St joseph school by charlie ward (Member 10266922) on 1-Nov-2011
  Hi,yes I remember you,well i think I do,your name rings a bell.Did you have fair hair,can you remember going bob-a jobbing,and going to the church,in between st annes and st joseph,had to go every sunday with the brothers.

• Re: St joseph school by Robert spelman (Member 10261924) on 2-Nov-2011
  yes I remember bob a job,I use to serve at mass,do you no anyone else I can get hold of,david ward he was my best friend I think he was indian do you remember him

• Re: St joseph school by Robert spelman (Member 10261924) on 2-Nov-2011
  by the way I did have fair hair,Iwas there from 1948 to 1962

• Re: St joseph school by Robert spelman (Member 10261924) on 2-Nov-2011
  does any one know of a list of boys from st josephs around 1957 to 1961

• Re: St joseph school by charlie ward (Member 10266922) on 2-Nov-2011
  Hi dave,As I said before i was at st Joseph from about 1953-1960,the only guys I can remember were,bobby wilson,micheal butlin,joseph wilson,ronnie frisk,dave powell,and jimmy glennon.I met bobby wilson years later in london,and the rest of his family lived in biggleswade in bedford.
  I also met jimmy glennon ,he worked in the mount plasent post office in wages department.in kings cross,london.I w
  as working there myself as a mananger in the sorting office,and he just happen to asked me if my name eas charlie ward,could'nt believe it.Me and him use to climb the big oak tree in the woods by green st green on our sunday walks.I went back years later,but all the fields are gone,and has become an houseing estate.
  
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• Re: St joseph school by charlie ward (Member 10266922) on 2-Nov-2011
  Sorry robert,got your name mixed up with someone else,thats old age for you.

• Re: St joseph school by Robert spelman (Member 10261924) on 3-Nov-2011
  does any one a boy namen desmond egan

• Re: St joseph school by david gowing (Member 10265647) on 3-Nov-2011
  yes new david ward very well. david gowing

• Re: St joseph school by david gowing (Member 10265647) on 3-Nov-2011
  theres a picture of ts josephs. go to history of orpington kent. from david gowing

• Re: St joseph school by charlie ward (Member 10266922) on 3-Nov-2011
  Hi guys,anyone one on facebook,be nice to see some of them old faces again,lets know.cheers
  

• Re: St joseph school by Stephen Anderson (Member 10256167) on 12-Nov-2011
  I remember some of you guys. was there from 1947 until 1959...receiving home down the hill near Sevenoaks Rd., Don Bosco with Mrs Shinners, and the Juniors and Seniors. Had 2 older brothers there also, Bernard, he left in 1955 and Tony..he went to Cray Valley Tech. I remember Br. Borgie? who had the Bike.he minded the Juniors. Brs. Flannon, Patrick, Eusibius, Stephens, Vergilious?, spud-neck Domi
  nic, Sister Hollaway?.. she minded the imfirmary. A few other Brs whose names don't come to mind at the moment!! I live in the States now......have most of my life. My brother Bernard is over here as well. Tony drives a London Taxi....go figure that one out after all his education!!Am on facebook which I will share in the future. Looking forward to hearing more from everybody.....have a lot of memories and recollections from that time period. Stephen
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• Re: St joseph school by charlie ward (Member 10266922) on 13-Nov-2011
  Hi stephen,yes mrs shinners,had a son his name was sean,had this big birthmark on the side of his face.I was in don bosco,oused to sleep in this room with all these other boys.Said the hail mary,before the lights went out.Mrs shinners used to smack me on the nuckles when i was naughty.I think when i got to a certain age we went down to st joseph,down the path at the bottom.St annes was on the othe
  r side,with the church St clements i think it was called between the to schools.
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• Re: St joseph school by david gowing (Member 10265647) on 16-Nov-2011
  hi charlie. do you remember the night of the thunderstorm. it was very frighting. we where all up in the gum nextdoor to the television room do you remember us having to go to church to confess our sins. i was in the church choir. john mc donald used to stand behind me. he had a deep voice. and was well out of tune. you know when you look back it was all that bad. it was only ten or so years afte
  r the war. the life i had before orpington was not that great.we where brothers in a way. hope to here from you. cheers david
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• Re: St joseph school by charlie ward (Member 10266922) on 16-Nov-2011
  Hi David,yes I remember that thunderstorm,scared the life out of me.I also remember watching a movie in the picture house,and it was an abbott,and costello in the film the mummy was suppose to be funny,but I got down behind the seat,I don't think it was that funny.I also remember the big holes in the field where the bombs had dropped during the war.Stange how certain things seem to stick in your h
  ead after all those years ago.Can you remember playing cowboys and indians up in don bosco's and picking damsons.take care and hope to here from you soon.
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• Re: St joseph school by nick ward-davies (Member 10253887) on 17-Nov-2011
  David....found your message today from September...yes same age just....65yrs next..name change since being in St joesphs it was George Corcoran...

• Re: St joseph school by david gowing (Member 10265647) on 22-Nov-2011
  hi nick yes we must have there at the same time. i was 65 on oct 9. born 1946. good to hear from you

• Re: St joseph school by caroline whitehead (Member 10267749) on 24-Nov-2011
  Hi Charlie,
  Understand you had 3 sisters at St.Ann's. I'm an old girl 1927-1941. I've written a book 'Surviving the Shadows' about my life in an orphanage and how the children were treated. Pleases support my book, available Amazon.com where you can read the press release.
  This message short. I'm not sure as a new member how the system works.
  Keep well.
  Caroline Whitehead (nee Marshall) member 10267749

• Re: St joseph school by Eddie Johnson (Member 10263370) on 25-Nov-2011
  Hi Caroline,
  
  After reading Rosalinda (Linda) Hutton's book, it is good to heat there is another one concerning St.Joseph's/Anne's. I have had a very brief look at yours on Amazon and will be ordering it this evening for sure. Were you actually a pupil at the convent in Orpington and went on to work at St Joseph's (I noticed a photo of it on Amazon) on the other side of the church?(also pictur
  ed.)Will have a longer look to night.
  
  Thanks for making your book known.
  
  Eddie Johnson.
  Further details of me, my brother and sisters are further down this page towards the end of the "Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960" section.
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• Re: St joseph school by caroline whitehead (Member 10267749) on 26-Nov-2011
  Hi Eddie,
  Thanks for responding to my message. I've never been a member of anything before so just don't know how it all works. No doubt, I'll get the hang of it.
  I appreciate you buying 'Surviving.' The more it is read, the more the public will understand what the children at St.Anne's and St.Jos. Orpington went through. For social history, the sadistic abuse should be recorded for posterity.
  
  The follow-up to 'Surviving,'relates to the life I had for 16 years here in Sidney, British
  
  Columbia, Canada, with my eldest brother, Rowland, who I met for the first time when he was 72 yrs of age in 1990 at Victoria International airport. He was put into St.Jos. Littlehampton, Sussex at 3 years under an assumed name.
  I was at St.Anne's Orphanage, then known in the 1920s, when I was 2 years old in 1927 and left 1941 to work as a servant in a borstal institution St.Thomas Moore, East Grinstead. One of the Christian brothers showed more than interest in me. I was terrified of him, so ran away after a few months to Hove where Cannon Crea lived. He was one of the trustees of The Catholic Rescue Society. Of course, I was promptly returned to the hell hole.
  I liked your comment for a reunion at Orpington so that everyone can tell their stories. If I knew some of them I would put them in a book and have it published. Every person woman or man can get the demons off their shoulders by writing about their experiences, don't you agree?
  Thank you for your support, which I appreciate.
  Please keep in touch. I need all the friends I can get.
  Caroline
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• Re: St joseph school by Eddie Johnson (Member 10263370) on 26-Nov-2011
  Hello again Caroline,
  
  Thanks for the response,
  
  Certainly I/we will keep in touch and be friends. It would be interesting to know a bit about St.Anne's/ Joseph's in you
  r time.
  
  I have to keep this short due to time but will be in touch over the weekend with a bit of news. Perhaps early next week.
  
  Should you prefer to email direct here is our address: eddie.sandra@blueyonder.co.uk, but either way is fine.
  
  Thanks again,
  
  Eddie
  
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• Re: St joseph school by caroline whitehead (Member 10267749) on 26-Nov-2011
  Hi Eddie,
  Thanks for your brief message, and support. Yes, it is good to have friends. We all need them.
  If you have internet perhaps you could send me a note on cwhitehead689@gmail.com
  I can give you whatever details you want on St.Anne's, but not sure about St.Jos. One boy I liked was Michael Casey, very good-looking, and used to bring over the bread baked at St.Jos. When you read 'Surviving'
  I mention working in the breadroom at St.Anne's where a couple of girls and myself had to cut the bread on a machine and spread the slices with marg or dripping. Often caught by sister Kevin eating the bread crumbs; we were so hungry. Of course, we'd committed a mortal sin. Can you imagine?
  I'm off to Victoria with my granddaughter Christine - she's gorgeous, so will be in touch later. I live alone in Sidney, British Columbia which is the best seaside town in the world.
  Take care. My many thanks for supporting 'Surviving'.
  Caroline
  
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• Re: R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL ORPINGTON C 1960 by nick ward-davies (Member 10253887) on 30-Sep-2011
  hi David..I do remember a few of the Brothers names....have been trying to think of the brothers name that had a bicycle with a motor engine attached to it....also there was a craze for keeping mice and crystal sets? do you remember a boy called George Corcoran

• Re: R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL ORPINGTON C 1960 by david gowing (Member 10265647) on 1-Oct-2011
  hi nick that name rings a bell. but not sure do you remember david ward he was a dark boy. might have been from india. other names i remember are jimmy page he was a boxer. also a boy called heinz. john mc donald. alex dunlop. anderson he used to be called the professor he once made a crossbow. the boys used wind him up. did you start in st. patricks st. andrews. there was also st. davids. and the
  geores. do you remember brother daniel, he was the best brother there. he used to the the sports. i think he was the youngest brother there. will replay to you later david
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• Re: R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL ORPINGTON C 1960 by nick ward-davies (Member 10253887) on 16-Oct-2011
  hi David....the names Dunlop and Heinz ring a bell well...not sure what house I was in when I arrived there as for the last centry I have blotted it out of my mind and now only coming to terms with it...not a bad time there...no abuse to me whilst I was there...reading all the messages below a lot of the abuse started in the 1960s..was 10yrs old when i got there,,,remember the layout of a lot of t
  he areas but cannot remembere the eating area at all or the kitchen area
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• Re: R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL ORPINGTON C 1960 by david gowing (Member 10265647) on 18-Oct-2011
  hello nick.thanks for your repley. let me try and jog your memory about eating rooms. as you might remember there was two playgrounds, one for the younger boys. st . patricks, and over one for the older boys, being st andrews st davids, st georgs. the eating areas where right on the edge of both playgrounds. when you walked in the cooking area was in the middle. so you could see right through to s
  t, patricks eating area. nick do you remember going to dymchruch or the isle of white. was you in the church chior
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• Re: R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL ORPINGTON C 1960 by david gowing (Member 10265647) on 18-Oct-2011
  is there anybody from st joesph,s or st annes convent. from 1955, 1956 to 1959, if so does anybody live in colchester essex or nearby. as i live, bless you all. david gowing

• Re: R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL ORPINGTON C 1960 by nick ward-davies (Member 10253887) on 18-Oct-2011
  yes remember Dymchurch and IOW very well.. did we not go over to France(Boulongue) as well..still have a visual memory of the huts and camp layout at Dymchurch St Mary's Bay....the miniture train over the marshes...have been back there a few times as friends live nearby..memory jog...I was in St Patricks on arrival as I remember a big room with wooden floors in the playground...food hall/kitchen s
  till cannot get my mind to it though
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• Re: R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL ORPINGTON C 1960 by charlie ward (Member 10266922) on 1-Nov-2011
  hi david,I remember the brothers you mentioned,i remember the two platgrounds with the kitchen in the middle,and the showers,the water was always cold.do you remember the toothpaste it was like powder,but tasted nice.the tv shows ,the lone ranger,hopalong cassidy,the roy rogers show.Can you remember the railway which you could see in the distants,the golden arrow always came pass.st annes had a gi
  rl friend over there her name was cathrine atrige.
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• Re: R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL ORPINGTON C 1960 by david gowing (Member 10265647) on 1-Nov-2011
  blimey charlie the toothpaste. something simple that jogs the memory. yes i remember the trains.they used to go over the bridge that went into town. do you remember the old picture house we used to go to on a saturdays. i think they called it saturday morning pictures. do you remember the sickbay behind st joesph,s there was an old lady who looked after us. and boy was she old. she used to do our
  meals she used to really dribble over our food. what about when tv was turned of. one of the brothers had a big wooden tray with slices of bread and jam. we used to get one slice each before bed. catch up with you later. keep in touch. dave
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• Re: R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL ORPINGTON C 1960 by charles head (Member 10256321) on 3-Nov-2011
  I remember the Golden Arrow also the infirmary and nurse who enjoyed squeezing boils. Bro James who ran the tuckshop Bro. Dominic who taught me all I know Bro. Virgilius who spent all his time reading his prayer book, picking spuds in the fields.Bro (sadist) Paul and lots more.Some of the boys include Denis& David King and my brother David,I was known as Michael

• Re: R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL ORPINGTON C 1960 by Robert spelman (Member 10261924) on 4-Nov-2011
  high david I was there during those times,unfortunatly I live on the Isle of wight,I was there from 1948 until 1962

• Re: R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL ORPINGTON C 1960 by david gowing (Member 10265647) on 12-Nov-2011
  hi robert. ths might jog your memory, as my name is gowing. the boys used to call me going. that led to the saying going going gone.

• Re: R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL ORPINGTON C 1960 by Vincent Xerri (Member 10258198) on 13-Jan-2012
  I was at St Joseph's from 1956 to 1960 and I remember Danny Tully that lived in Orpington. He was a day boy. Us boarders used to have snowball or more iceball fights with the dayboys. Sort of us against them. I remember the great flu epidemic of 1958 when all the dormitory's were full with us kids. We were fed Glucose and another drink Bovril. I hate them both, tho' I still like Marmite. The swimm
  ing pool which was filled from a fire hydrant and was bloody freezing, but we still enjoyed it even though it was cockroach infested. This forum is growing exponentially and bringing back lots of memories. It also appears some of us are confused about certain issues concerning St Annes and St Joseph's. Mostly the things said here are true to the incident. I do remember we had the best football team in the London home counties catholic fraternity. We regularly beat Enfield school where ever that was. Tom the farmer used to think I would make a good boxer and he used to tap me on the chin with his knuckle and say I would be good. I never had the heart in me to box. There were other better boys at boxing than I would ever be. I remember the infants or St Patricks dorm had a puppy that was for there enjoyment but I was led to believe the boys killed it through kindness. Maybe I was too young to know different. I can't remember the boys name that had a squeaky voice when he tried to sing in the TV room. He was my mate and one sunday walk I helped him 'escape'. Quite a few boys did a bunk from the school for different reasons. I remeber a 'Doke' was a slice of bread. A johnny bag was a durex. We seemed to have a language all our own. I also remember the two brothers from Hungary, just after the uprising. The shorter one was a whizz at football. He did one of those Pele back kicks and we all just stood in amazement. More will come.
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• Re: cant find the message i posted yesterday by caroline whitehead (Member 10267749) on 28-Nov-2011
  Hi David,
  Picked up your inquiry re St.Jos.and St.Anne's.
  What was it you wanted to know? I can give details of St.Anne's history from 1927-1941, during the time I was at the orphanage, as it was then known. My book 'Surviving the Shadows' relates to the treatment of young childen. It was published in 2008 by AGIO publishing house in Victoria, BC Canada.
  The sequel 'Rowland' A Heart of Sunshine
  (published February 2011)is about my brother whom I met for the first time in Victoria 1991 when he was 72 yrs of age. He was unaware he also had two other sisters and a brother. If you are able to read the press releases on both books, it may interest you to support me and buy one. I need all the help I can to get the book on child abuse known far and wide, for social history.
  Take care.
  Caroline Whitehead (nee Marshall)member 10267749
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• Re: Jill A Harvey by George Smith (Member 10016699) on 17-Jul-2011
  If you go to 192.com there's a 'Jillian A Harvey', aged 67, living in BR6 Orpington, Google maps puts that in Windsor Drive area. There's your first bit of sleuthing done! She's on the 2010 electoral roll, if it helps. Best wishes. George

• Re: old friends of muriel by Brenda Pullen (Member 10263552) on 20-Jul-2011
  I,m sorry I don't remember you but I was also at St. Philomena convent school in Orpington from about 1957 until about 1962. I too lived in St Mary Cray in 'something' Crescent, I can't remember the name of the road but I lived almost opposite a row of local shops. I would also like to find my old friends, their names are Jennifer Wills, Christine Taylor, Annabel and Valeria - I can remember all
  their sirnames. Good luck in your search. Brenda
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• Re: Dave Rands by Muriel Jalla (Member 10262832) on 27-Jun-2011
  hi there my name is muriel jalla and i used to be married to peter jenkins who was also a fully paid up member of the friday night trippers association how mad is that i was on here trying to find people from my old school st philomenas do you still live in orpington i left in the late 70s and now live in brighton do get in touch it would be really nice to touch base with someone from the old days

• Re: Adults electric wheelchair for sale. by Leslie Fowl (Member 10247415) on 25-Sep-2010
  NOW SOLD

• Re: JOHNSON family by George Smith (Member 10016699) on 4-Feb-2010
  I understand from my Partner that Friends Re-United has lists of every year. See comments on another similar thread. Best wishes. George

• Re: JOHNSON family by caroline whitehead (Member 10267749) on 24-Nov-2011
  Hi George,
  I'm hoping this message will reach you, although it does not refer to above family.
  Reason for message is to let you know I've changed my e-mail and sent one to you under cwhitehead689@gmail.com Probably, like the one I sent, rosalindhutton@aol.com is not being responded to because of being unknown. I'm now a member of Orpington Message Board Knowhere Guide and have been reading more
  horror stories.
  My book 'Surviving the Shadows' has the sequel 'Rowland' published Feb.2011. Please read the press release, and support me. Thanks
  Caroline Whitehead (nee Marshall member 10267749)
  
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• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by George Smith (Member 10016699) on 5-Dec-2009
  The School and 'Convent' were demolished in the 70'(maybe later). There's one of those 'Estates' built there now, try Mitchell Road, Bromley in Google Maps and then use the little man to walk 'round the roads. My Partner was there, in the Convent, in the late 60's, certainly the World Cup year, 1966. She was abused mentally and physically by the Nuns, still with her to this day I'm afraid. The Hos
  pital opposite did a similar thing in selling their excess land to a developer and they built more 'prestigious' houses. Turned into a strange enclave of residents though like these estates do. It's the old adage, if you could afford to buy a house here, you'd buy one elsewhere in nice area, but I digress! email me direct and I'll pass her email address directly to you. She's got a memory like an Elephant. She'll tell you of all the wrongdoers, and who's died etc. She doesn't want her email broadcast in this board due to to hijacking by escort agencies etc, that no one seems to be dealing with.....George
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• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by George Smith (Member 10016699) on 5-Dec-2009
  realbadtaste@hotmail.com

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Sophie (Member 10243674) on 10-Jan-2010
  I've been trying to do some reasearh on St Anne Convent as well and i keep getting info on the Holly Innocents Church i cant seem to find what im looking for....my mum and her family attended St Annes and like the previous reply stated i have heard many awful tells of abuse that still haunts my family today.....Im looking for information on the Patterson family if you find out any information id b
  e grateful for any links to St Annes.
  Thanks
  Sophie
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• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by George Smith (Member 10016699) on 4-Feb-2010
  Hello again last contributor! Anne hasn't been too good in herself for a while so I am filling in on this thread when I can get her to give me information. I have asked Anne about the Convent and she has given me the following two comments. Firstly, St Anne's was occasionally referred to as 'St Josephs Orphanage'. Maybe a Google search will bring something up. Secondly, far more exciting, Friends
  Re-United has lists of attendees for just about every year. She says the problem is that no one wants to write about it, they just want to forget the place. Personally, I'd buy contributor 1's book for a start as this documents the abuse way back. There's no doubt your Mother will have experienced it herself. Evil Women hiding behind those walls. I wish you luck in your endeavours. George
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• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by pauline page (Member 10246403) on 3-Apr-2010
  i and my family and i also so suffered some abuse at that convent call the self sisters of mercy while the beat me at seven year old with there rosery leather belt

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Maria (Member 10247559) on 9-May-2010
  I am currently in therapy and after one and a half years have just started remembering childhood abuse (not really via the nuns but I have def. memories of particularly nasty incidents). I think the nuns covered up a lot of what went on in my life. I also understand that one of the guys who ran the orphanage was done for abuse. I was sent on a handicapped kids trip to Lourdes when I was about 8
  (about 1977) and still don't know why as I wasn't disabled or orphaned. If there is anyone who attended the school about the same time as me (I think 1974 until about 1981) I would love to talk so I can remember what happened. Also I looked at the H.Innocents church website and it says it had to be rebuilt due to foundations moving - I remember a boy in my class who stayed at the orphanage - I can't remember his name but he was really goodlooking with dark features - and one evening after school he burned it down with candles - seems even the church history is being re-written. Hope you are all ok.(I now live in Hertfordshire)
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• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 14-May-2010
  Hi Maria,
  
  I have just read your message online and am sorry to see that you are still suffering from your experience at St. Anne's. I was there from 1968 to 1973 and still have emotional and physical scars! I was in Tara, then in Don Bosco, and Sister Consolata was in charge. I am now in touch with Rita and Angela Iagoe, who were in the convent for many years with their siblings, Norah, Phil
  ip and Bart. In actual fact, I am going to court next week (25th and 26th May) in proceedings I have brought against the convent. Rita has successfully brought a civil claim against them, and my own solicitor has handled thousands of Irish cases on similar lines. Bringing the case has been an ordeal, for sure, but my sense of the huge injustice has carried me through. Have heard so many sad, sad, stories of kids the nuns abused. If you want to seek help, or even just want to talk, please give me a call. I know, in my own life, that I have pretty much had to keep all the grim details to myself, as I did not want my family to know what happened there. Take care, Linda. My telephone number is 01322 271952.
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• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Rita Iagoe (Member 10248551) on 9-Jun-2010
  Hi Maria and anyone else who was subjected to abuse in St Anne's Children's Home. I have very vivid memories of the abuse suffered by myself and many others as were my siblings. Just let me know what you want to know! Rita

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by michael west (Member 10250424) on 4-Aug-2010
  HI my name is michael west, i was in the convent round about 1960 onwards, the names i read about on the message board are names i know
  i hope someone recalls us
  thanks

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by michael west (Member 10250424) on 5-Aug-2010
  Hi again
  my name is michael west,I was in the st annes convent, from 1959 with my brother george and my sister nicole, just wondered if anyone remembers us,
  We all stayed in the HOLY INNOCENT house opposite orpington hospital, I understand that these places no longer exsist
  thanks

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by George Smith (Member 10016699) on 1-Sep-2010
  Hello Michael West. I am with Anne Smith (McGlade)at the moment. She was delighted to see your name on the notice board and remembers you all very well. She said will you please email her direct and she will fill you in with how the Convent has affected her life over the years, and still on medication. Evil, evil place. Evil, evil Women. annesmith51@hotmail.co.uk

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by RM (Member 10251626) on 6-Sep-2010
  Hello
  
  ITV News is keen to hear testimonies about events at R C Primary School in Orpington.
  
  Please contact rags.martel@i
  tn.co.uk
  
  Many thanks.
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• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by George Smith (Member 10016699) on 7-Sep-2010
  Re: the last message. It's quite important that anyone with a story to tell, no matter how small, DOES contact ITV News. It's not a scam. They are piecing together all the instances of abuse. They have contacted others, including Anne, and at last some some recognition of the violence at the Convent can be exposed. They will speak to you when it's convenient to you, and act gently. Please do email
  them. Anne is quite excited that there may be some closure to her life time memories of the miserable times she and her friends had there. Thank you. George
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• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 12-Sep-2010
  Anyone with an interest in St. Anne's convent should watch ITV news next week - especially London Tonight, after the 6.00 news. I think several of us have done interviews for Rags Martel. Too much has been hidden about what went on at St. Anne's, and hopefully we can help and support each other.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 12-Sep-2010
  Can anyone identify Peter Rands? I have a link to a picture that I can send via email. My email address is Rosalindhutton@aol.com and all replies with be treated as confidential.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Rita Iagoe (Member 10248551) on 15-Sep-2010
  Hi All, I have many memories of St Annes Convent...by now you will have watched the ITN report exposing the abuse suffered in the home by many hundreds of children. Please contact me at rita.iagoe@hotmail.com if I can be of support to you.
  
  Regards
  
  Rita

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by michael o'reilly (Member 10251150) on 17-Sep-2010
  i was also at saint anne's convent from 1964 till 1972 with my sister Sharon and brother Graham. We lived in Ancona House.We were also abused by the Nuns.Its time to name and shame them and some of the worst one's was Sister Gerard ( Ancona House ) who smashed my head against a cupboard door which left a dent in the door, my crime, i switched off the alarm clock and we were late for church.The ho
  use went to the next mass at 10.00am. Another Nun was Sister Antonia ( teacher )who abused many of the convent children.I have always believed that Nuns are not fit to take care of children as they have no experience and will cover up for the sake of there faith. As children we had been tramatised by are parents relationship break up, did we need the Nuns to add to our pain?.
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Rita Iagoe (Member 10248551) on 17-Sep-2010
  Dear Michael
  
  My email address is rita.iagoe@hotmail.com if you would like to talk.
  
  Regards
  
  Rita

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Nicola Ward (Member 10252374) on 25-Sep-2010
  I was at St Anne's primary school from 1973 until 1980. My Mum worked in the school office alongside Marjory Pattenden. My Dad died when I was 10 and I was sent to stay with the nuns at the convent for a while. I went from St Anne's on to St. John Rigby. I have never set foot in mass since leaving school! I doubt if there are many who have left St Anne's unscathed,- and not in need of pyschological help!

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Stephen Pearce (Member 10252318) on 26-Sep-2010
  Hello everyone, I have read all your previous posts regarding St Annes convent and school. I also went to St Annes school a little later than most of you between 1976 and 1981 and thought you might like to know that abuse of some of the children there was still taking place by the nuns, two of the worst were Sister Cathrine and Sister Antonia. If you would like further information regarding these
  events may i suggest you log into facebook and type St Annes, Orpington into the facebook search bar, there are quite a few posts on there from various different former pupils including myself. Also with regards to the London tonight program could you let me know if that has gone on air yet? as i have been in Egypt the past two weeks and fear i might have missed it.
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by michael o'reilly (Member 10251150) on 28-Sep-2010
  Hello everyone , one must wonder how the Nuns got away with the abuse of so many Children for so long at the school and in the Children's Home?. As another member recalls Sister Antonia was Cruel I happened to be in her class when a child from the children's home got into trouble and she picked up the person with both hands which were attached to either side of his face and lifted him across the f
  loor. My Question is "How can it be that noone including the outside help (the aunties and uncle employed at the convent)could or would do something?" I have the feeling that the nuns believed that all children were evil and the only way that they could control them was through religion. If God exists he was'nt around Orpington during the Sixties and Seventies.
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• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by kh (Member 10253338) on 22-Oct-2010
  der

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by kh (Member 10253338) on 23-Oct-2010
  I was at ST Annes in the same class as Rita .I remember a child called Janet being beaten from one end of the classroom to the other ,it still haunts me.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by john sullivan (Member 10253489) on 25-Oct-2010
  hi im john sullivan i was in the childrens home and at the school , i would like to get to talk anyone who was there , im looking for sydney rapheal does anyone know where he is , or john doyle ?

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by George Smith (Member 10016699) on 30-Oct-2010
  Message to 'kh' (10253338) If you contact Linda Hutton, she is in contact with Rita in Australia. Anne Smith (was McGlade) was there at the same time, obviously. Her email is annesmith51.hotmail.co.uk (NOT .com) She would love to hear from (or any other ex in-mate) you as she has had some experience in researching this Hell hole.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by nick ward-davies (Member 10253887) on 5-Nov-2010
  was at the place from 1956 to 1960..st joesph's remember it very well..had a good time there though the nuns at the primary school were very sadistic to some of the kids...st joesph's the boys part also had a school? i think...remember going to classes there

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by nick ward-davies (Member 10253887) on 5-Nov-2010
  would like to chat to anyone that was there at the same time to jog memories..ie..going out to the cinema in orpington....my 1st film was The Ten Commandments ...cannot remember the names of the brothers or nuns or houses but vividly remember the layout of the huge house....use to enjoy the swimming pool...and playing fields with the grave yard in it...always wondered who was buried in it...glad t
  o see the records are available
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by john sullivan (Member 10253489) on 6-Nov-2010
  hi there must be someone out there who remembers sydney rapheal , i realy would like to trace him

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by George Smith (Member 10016699) on 7-Nov-2010
  Nick (10253887) The Graveyard you mention is now a Housing Estate I mentioned in a post way back. It's one of those Homebase/Marks and Spenser estates. Speaking to Anne, who was at the Convent, she says she wonders if the people who bought the houses were told of the grounds history. And of course each plot was originally bought for the internees, so someone may still have an interest. I suppose G
  oogle mapping the area, someone could verify if they did actually build on the consecrated ground? It's like one of those movies where all references are removed to an areas history are removed! I know Anne would like to erase all of it from her memory.
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Rita Iagoe (Member 10248551) on 17-Nov-2010
  hi nick were you a resident in St Annes Convent?
  
  Regards
  
  Rita

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by nick ward-davies (Member 10253887) on 19-Nov-2010
  hi Rita 10248551..was not a resident of the convent but went to the primaray school..I was resident in St josephs which was the boys side of it.the church(now demolished)seperated us..remember my school days well at St Annes and can still describe the buildings and playground well.The nuns where sadist to a lot of boys/girls...i think I was lucky because I did not go through the physical abuse fro
  m them.must of convinced them I was a good catholic..Trying to piece together my childhood around that time...was not bad as far as I remember..but was only there for about 4yrs of my life
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by nick ward-davies (Member 10253887) on 19-Nov-2010
  the senoir part of the school was either St Josephs/St Annes..but cannot remember it being mixed or just boys..I know it was senior because I had just sat my 11 plus before going to it.the senior's was at the other end of the vast grounds behind the St,Josphes orphanage

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by john sullivan (Member 10253489) on 22-Nov-2010
  hi linda can you contact me i have that pic for you , johnny

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by charles head (Member 10256321) on 7-Jan-2011
  I was at St. Josephs until 1952 have many memories,mostly bad,which affected the rest of my life.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by nick ward-davies (Member 10253887) on 8-Jan-2011
  hi Charles..member10256321...sorry to hear you had a bad time at st Joesphs..would like to know what sort of bad thing to affect your whole life,,,if you do not want to say i do understand...me...i found the place okay..except trhe nuns on the otherside

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by charles head (Member 10256321) on 10-Jan-2011
  One Holy brother used to attach wires to give naughty boys a shock same one hit you across back of head with an ebony rule, I also saw boys try climb the walls to escape. My sister was at St. ANNES also had bad axperiences,there were one or two decent ones

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by charles head (Member 10256321) on 13-Jan-2011
  I remember only 2 other boys Billy Ryan and Michael Luvaglio

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by nick ward-davies (Member 10253887) on 22-Jan-2011
  charles...i left in sept1960,,was there for 3.5yrs..had no need to climb walls.i saw no physical violence there by the brothers..something must of changed after 1960as you could just walk out in my dayswe use to go out a lot to the town of Orpington to the pictures.. there was two houses then one at each end of the high st and up to a place called Green street Green???? and play..played in a grave
  yard in this big field attached to the home and ride bikes on it...learnt to ride a bike there...do you remember a brother with a bike that had an engine attached to it,,,also about collecting white mice..they had an indoor swimming pool that we use every week as well...very cold though as you had to change outdoors
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by charles head (Member 10256321) on 23-Jan-2011
  I was there from about 1946 till 1952 leaving at age 15 not after 1960 as I said previously

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by charles head (Member 10256321) on 23-Jan-2011
  I was there from about 1946 till 1952 leaving at age 15 not after 1960 as I said previously

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Rita Iagoe (Member 10248551) on 24-Jan-2011
  Hi All, anyone who wants to contact me can do so at rita.iagoe@hotmail.com. I was at St Annes from 1963 until 1976 so I remember a lot of horror and abuse!
  I would love to hear from anyone who was at the convent and/or the school during that time.
  
  Regards
  
  Rita

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Vincent Xerri (Member 10258198) on 18-Feb-2011
  Well I don't really know where to start but as usual I will just ramble. I went to St Joseph's RC school, Green st Green. I personally don't know of any abuse from the brothers at St J's. I went there from sometime in 1956 to 1960. I do remember some of the brothers and boarders. The brothers were Br Eusibius (sorry for spelling), Br Dominic, Br Reginald (boy could he cane) I forget the basket wea
  ving brother. My minds gone blank but I will include them as and when I remember. The boys I remember were Mangion E Mangion (sorry for spelling but we were friends), There was a large community of Irish boys that had similar names ie Boyle, Doyle, Coyle. Keith Hillicker he lived in Eastleigh Hampshire. Ronald Callaway he lived in Southampton with me too. Donald McDonald, he was nice as an older boy. Us in St J's had a TV room with coach seats that itched and the brothers sometime played a game that I introduced my children to and that was hiding money in the TV room, only pennies, but enough to buy tuck from Mr Frampton who was also a cobbler. We had four 'Houses' that on a sunday one would be allowed to have a free walk in the surrounding area. We used to freak out the local shop keepers because we stole sweets when we could. I remember some boys running away from the school. There was the Irish farmer who's name I can't remember and he used to grow the schools food. I still don't like margarine as we only had butter on sunday. The swimming pool I remember well as it was always full of cockroaches and bloody freezing. We had some Irish women that weren't nuns as teachers and I used to have unnatural thoughts about them, well I was young. I remember going for free walks in the woods that was in the Green St Green area and scrumping apples when we walked past a house with an apple tree in the garden. There was a Parachute harness suspended from a high branch and we would swing from it, great fun. Well I will go now or I will monopolise the website. I don't remember any abuse except violence brought on by some of the boys being tough abd the brothers going 'team handed' to suppress the boys. I remember a dance teacher that tried to teach us to do the jive and quickstep and foxtrot. They used to bring the girls from St Annes School to dance with us boys. I am sorry if I appear to only have good thoughts of my time their but maybe I have suppressed my nightmares and they will come later.
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Vincent Xerri (Member 10258198) on 18-Feb-2011
  I forgot to include a girls name that OH did I fancy. Stella Randolphi from St Annes and she lived in Kent somewhere. OH did I have the hots for her, but I was too shy and could only fancy her from afar when we all went to the church mass on sunday.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by nick ward-davies (Member 10253887) on 10-Mar-2011
  hi Vincent(10258198)we seemed to be at StJ the same time...remember what you have recalled...scrumping..that was in a gaden with a bungalow...also i think with a railway carriage in it...do you remember the garden fetes that they held in a garden for the church..swimming pool with the cockroaches in it,,,freezing and changing outside...when i left the homes i tried to scub the stays at various pla
  ces from my head and 40yrs on i am now in the process of trying to remember it all...names have totaly gonebut visually it is still there...like you the abuse I did not see but the physical I did though not much...my surname in the place was Corcoran though that is not the name i use now..I asume you must be about early/mid 60s..(not an insult to you I hope)
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by john sullivan (Member 10253489) on 15-Mar-2011
  hi john sullivan here i wouls like to hear from anyone who remembers me , i was in a room with sid rapheal , john doyle and another boy raymond but i cant remember his sir name , please drop me aline , i have photos of a few nuns and one of peter ranns

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Vincent Xerri (Member 10258198) on 19-Mar-2011
  Hi Nick, Thanks for replying to my message. At last, a reply from my past. I went to Saint Joseph's from 1956 till 1960. There was the boys school which I went to and the girls school St Anne's. From what I remember there were boarders and day boys that attended. In the winter period when we still had seasons, there was a 'them and us attitude' when it came to any snowball fights. Most of my memor
  ies were OK and I don't have any thoughts on abuse whether physical or mental. There wasn't any sexual abuse that I knew of. Some of the boys came from the London area and I suppose in the 1950's they were quite tough so if there was any altercations between the brothers and the boys, then the brothers went in team handed. I still hate cockroaches but do wash in cold water which isn't a problem for me. I have always been pushed from pillar to post so going to St J's wasn't an issue. I left St J's in 1960 then went to another school in Southampton for a year so that I could go to sea training school. Basically I went to sea for most of my working life and retired 7 years ago. I have two children that have given me grandchildren so things are not too bad. I hope life hasn't been too bad for you.
  It is a real pleasure to answer your message because those days are strong in my memories. I bet we could chew the cud for ages reflecting on pastimes. If you would like to meet to chat then work a way round it and come up with a solution as long as you don't live in Patagonia.
  Regards Vince
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by nick ward-davies (Member 10253887) on 23-Mar-2011
  Hi vincent(10258198)...we seemed to of been at stJ and left the same yrs 56/60...the brother with the cane?did he have a cycle with a motor on the back..was the tuck shop in the senior yard in a converted stable of sorts...the one thing I do not recall of anything is the eating arrangments/dinning rooms...do not even remember a meal there..live in Wales on 5acres of which 2.5 being gardens for the
  past 10yrs...life has been good to me since I left the place,went back home to my parents till I was 16yr and then sorted out the path of my life..starting to get this homes episode of my life together for the family album..would like to meet....how?..live in a big Victorian house so can put you up if you fancy a trip to Wales..nickpara1@hotmail.com
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by nick ward-davies (Member 10253887) on 23-Mar-2011
  pps Vincent..Bro Reginald had dark/black hair I think...do remember the tv room and coach seats as well was on the 1st floor attached to a bigger hall/room...think the showers were underneatrh it

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Vincent Xerri (Member 10258198) on 23-Mar-2011
  Hi Nick, must be a real small world because I have relatives in LLannelli. I will definitely come see you in Wales. I live in Southampton Hampshire. Will send you an email and get address and sort details. Will keep anymore St J's news till we meet.
  Regards Vince

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by pauline page (Member 10246403) on 28-Mar-2011
  hi nick ward davis i remember going to see the ten comandments as well. me and my sister was in the family house. my brothers were up in st josphs..got sad memorys from there. sister anastacier think i spelt her name wrong. (that would be 10 wacks with the ruler.lol) was there from 1958-1964 dose anyone remember miss clare and miss ayres..

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 1-Apr-2011
  For anyone interested - my book about my time in St. Anne's Convent 1968-1972, and about my subsequent claim and trial, will be available in Ireland and on Amazon from the 7th April. It is entitled 'Cry and You Cry Alone', Rosalinda Hutton. Rosalindhutton@aol.com

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Vincent Xerri (Member 10258198) on 5-Apr-2011
  Hi Linda, It's nice to hear you have put your reflections down for all to experience and share. All of life is great, but it is a shame when the people in authority can damage a mind by thoughtlessness. We are and were all easily influenced by our teen years and it was a shame we had to be put into the hands of people unable to marry and appreciate the joy and innocence of children. I still feel t
  hat the catholic church should, at least allow brothers and priests to marry nuns, even if they are dissuaded from marrying commoners. Am now going to have a looksee at your efforts.
  Best regards and pass your memories on.
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Vincent Xerri (Member 10258198) on 5-Apr-2011
  Hi Linda again. I just read the little piece that comes on Play.com. I really hope that it jerks memories in other girls that were there at those times. To think I was in St Joseph's when you were in St Anne's and was oblivious to your suffering. I was quite shy back then and freaked out when the lady dance teacher brought over to St J's some of the girls from St A's for us seniors to dance with.
  I still can't do the jive but remember quick quick slow etc etc. I envied the confident boys that chatted with the girls. C'est la vie. I am married with three grandchildren and have had a not too bad a life I suppose. I hope you were able to make the transition to normality and found another half and had children. If you did then I am sure you spoiled them rotten to compensate for your lack of TLC.
  Best regards Vince
  
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by tammy hall (Member 10260440) on 16-Apr-2011
  hello im trying to trace anyone who was in St Joseph's with my father Brian Hill or his brothers Norman, Sidney, Maurice, Peter or Arthur, their sister Rose was in St Anne's, they were admitted between 1945-47 and were there for some years before being moved on when they became to old to stay there. My father has never mentioned any abuse towards him but has said it was happening, although he lost
  contact with his family for over 40 years after his release (he was the youngest of them all) sadly my father passed away in 2008, and im now (with Norman) trying to piece together their childhood. We are in particular trying to find out where we can obtain records of reasons behind them going to the orphanages, the Catolic Childrens Society have provided very basic information and are unable to help further. We would appreciate any assistance with this. Thank you
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by julie walsh (Member 10260644) on 23-Apr-2011
  john sullivan..i was in TARA with u..contact me on julie.walsh12@ntlworld.com i remember sidney raphael, john doyle and raymond axissa. john, i have a foto of you and sidney, in the sittingroom at tara

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by janet (Member 10260866) on 28-Apr-2011
  i was at st anne's convent in the early 60s right up to 1970,with my twin sister we where the lorryman twins,janet and helen, the nuns where very spiteful and cruel got beaten on many occasions,remember that horrible dish celery in cheese sauce.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Rita Iagoe (Member 10248551) on 4-May-2011
  I have just been reading everyone's posts since last year and I remember so many names....contact me at rita.iagoe@hotmail.com would love to hear from anyone who remembered the Iagoe family!

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Mick Ryan (Member 10262367) on 13-Jun-2011
  Hi,
  I have just been reading about St Ann's & St Joseph's, I don't recall many names from that period (54 to 58). I went to St Ann's primary then on to St Joseph's, I was there with my brother Jimmy who got a lot more beating than me because he even in his 60's cannot abide being told what to do. I remember tuck, coblers where had our football boots restuded. I worked in the kitchens for extra p
  ocket money, collecting bantem and spud picking,would have never have any of them for living.I can remember the Dunlops and Johnny Johnson, climbing the drainpipe's to get out tennis balls out of gutter.The one thing I thank St Joshep's for is my education, no skipping homework there. The tv room was on 1st floor and I remember the news abouts Man U air crash and the semi final against Fulham, as that's where we came from.
  Would love to from any who at St Joseph's in that period.
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Caroline Wilkinson (Member 10262545) on 18-Jun-2011
  I have only today discoved this message board. My brother and I (Caroline & Justin Little) were at St Anne's from 1968 to 1970. I suffered terrible acts of abuse and although nearly 48 years old, am still very traumatised from my time there. I cannot remember what house I was in (but intend to get my records). Does anyone remember Sr Juliana??? She was evil.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 19-Jun-2011
  For anyone thinking about making a claim against the convent for abuse they suffered, I can do no better than suggest they contact david.greenwood@jordanssolicitors.co.uk
  who is very experienced in handling cases of historic abuse. Alternatively, I am happy to assist anyone with advice or support and my email is Rosalindhutton@aol.com and of course Rita Iagoe, who is great!

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by john sullivan (Member 10253489) on 20-Jun-2011
  linda i have tried to contact you several times , heres my number 07956356252 i read your book and thought it was very true to life .Well the bits i remember please drop me aline
  john sullivan

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen tims (Member 10262610) on 20-Jun-2011
  Oh my goodness, I have been horrified to read most of these comments. My heart goes out to you all. I attended St. Anne's Primary school from around 1975 to 1982. I got off lightly, but did suffer at the sadistic hands of both Sister Catherine and Sister Antonia - what evil, sick, people they were. I remember being hit with rulers across my nuckles by Sister Catherine (the thin side of the rul
  er too), being pinched and punched by sister antonia and having wooden blocks and blackboard rubbers thrown with a scary aim by Sister Antonia. She used to take a perverse pleasure in beating us kids, espeically Jason Carroll. That poor kids took a lot of physical abuse from Sister Antonia. The headmistress, Sister Angela, was a sweet lady, but weak. They must have all know how violent these two women were, but it is amazing that no-one did anything. Did our parents really not believe us when we told them. We were all pretrified of maths with Sister Antonia. I heard she served jail time for some of her abuses, but who knows.
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Vincent Xerri (Member 10258198) on 12-Jul-2011
  Hello Mick Ryan,
  I was at St Joseph's from 1956 till 1960 and have vivid memories of thos times. We can liaise and compare if you would like to. I live near Southampton and have done all my life. Am off to France till 5th August but please get in touch.
  
  Regards Vince

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Eddie Johnson (Member 10263370) on 15-Jul-2011
  Hello to all,
  
  My name is Eddie Johnson.
  I guess I was at St. Joseph’s from 1955 or 56 to 1959 with my brother Jack (who opted to be called John when he left there.) He left there about 18 months after me. We had two sisters at St. Anne’s; Jennifer and Mary.
  I certainly remember all of the ‘brothers’ listed above. I will add to that list the nicknames we gave two of them. Bro. Reginald
  was called “green teeth” and no guesses as to why and Bro. Dominic was called, “spud” because of the large cyst on the back of his neck. At the ripe old age of 68 I have fond memories of the place and intend to communicate further this weekend or soon.
  
  Regards
  
  Eddie
  
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 16-Jul-2011
  For anyone having problems getting hold of my book, it is entitled Cry and You Cry Alone and is available via Waterstones and Mainstream and Random House Publishing.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by michael west (Member 10250424) on 16-Jul-2011
  Hi
  my name is michael west
  i stayed in the holy family house
  with my sister nicole and brother george
  has anyone got photos of us or where could i
  get any
  
  thanks michael
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Eddie Johnson (Member 10263370) on 16-Jul-2011
  Hi again,
  
  I am not sure of the name of the the person but without looking back over the many emails, someone was wondering about the name of the farmer that worked for St. Joseph's. His name was Tom Pender and he had a house and family on the grounds. It was down on the main road opposite the hospital. Remember his dog that followed him everywhere, be it in the fields or a walk through the pla
  ygrounds. 'Monty' was his name. About 10 years ago I briefly worked with a man who turned out to be the husband the husband of Tom's daughter. Tom had passed on at that time; in Ireland. Tom's daughter attended St. Anne's for school.
  
  More to come,
  
  Eddie
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Eddie Johnson (Member 10263370) on 17-Jul-2011
  Hello again,
  
  Eddie Johnson to Vincent Xerri in particular.
  
  Looking back over the emails again I think I should have directed my first email to you. I am sorry to say I cannot remember you by name Vincent, but no doubt I would remember if I seen a photo of you at that time. Your message raised so many memories
  for me.
  
  Like you I do not have any memories of abuse from any of the brothers. The only thing that comes near to that in to my memory is that one of the boys told me that he saw one of the brothers doing what he shouldn't do with his bedroom door open.
  
  I too remember Bro. Eusibius. He was the head brother of the Orphanage but nothing to do with the day school. Bro. Dominic was headmaster of the day school. About half of the orphanage brothers were also trained teachers. There was a brief time when Bro. Eusibius gave up as head if the orphanage and a brother from another home (Bro. Nessen, spelling is suspect) took over. He was dead I think, within a week or two over in Orpington Hospital. Something very sudden.
  
  Another boy (might have been Keith Hillicker) and I had to dig the grave up at the back of the sports field. Bro. Eusibius took over as head of the orphanage again.
  
  Was the "basket weaving" brother called Bro. Vigelius? (not sure of the spelling.)He was a thinnish man with thick rim glasses and sleeked back dark greying hair.
  
  My brother Jack (now John)was/is 18 months younger than me we WERE both ginger and part of the "community of Irish boys" that you mentioned. Our two sisters in St. Anne's were not ginger.
  
  I do VERY WELL remember Keith Hillicker. Looking back I considered him a close friend. I used to think he looked like a young John Wayne. Another close friend was Mike (or Mick)McCreery . (Again I am not sure of the spelling)He had a full size guitar and used to get up on the bench in the playground and sing Elvis songs. "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock" were favourites.
  
  The other singer at that time was Henry ----? who used to sing Mario Lanza songs (classical.) Some times Mr. Sheen (final year) used to get him to sing in class.
  
  You mentioned buying "tuck from Mr. Frampton who was also a cobbler" Is it possible his name was "Benton" and not "Frampton".
  
  See my PREVIOUS MESSAGE above concerning the "Irish farmer" you mentioned.
  
  I share your "only have good thoughts of my time there" and certainly had no nightmares about the place.
  
  All the best,
  
  Eddie
  
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Eddie Johnson (Member 10263370) on 17-Jul-2011
  P.S.
  Anyone remember me or my brother or our sisters?
  Regards
  Eddie

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Eddie Johnson (Member 10263370) on 17-Jul-2011
  St Joseph's/Anne's are no longer there but should that stop us from a reunion of some kind in Orpington? What about a hotel with a room where people could stand up and tell their stories, say over two nights.
  
  Any thoughts?
  
  Eddie

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Stephen Pearce (Member 10252318) on 23-Jul-2011
  Hi everyone, Can't get my head around how much this message board has grown. I have read a lot of your story's and it brings back a lot of memories, Helen Tims you must have been at school there the same time as me. I had Jason Carroll in my class for a time I think he was younger than us but had learning problems so was put in my class. I remember Sister Antonia giving him regular beatings poor l
  ad. There was another lad in my sisters year called Steven Hearn he also had problems learning and remember him getting abused all the time as well, come to the conclusion that the nun's would pick on soft targets and targets who would never be listened too. I myself count myself lucky only got one bad kicking from sister antonia and became very adept to blackboard rubber dodgeing.
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Eddie Johnson (Member 10263370) on 25-Jul-2011
  
  Hi Mike Ryan,
  
  You wrote: "Would love to from any who at St Joseph's in that period."
  
  When I first read your message some time ago I was of the opinion that the 'Johnny Johnson' you mentioned (climbing up the drain pipe would NOT have been my brother. I had been thinking that he chanced his name from 'Jack' after had left St Joseph's but now I wonder. Did the 'Johnny Johnson'you knew have
  ginger hair? My brother and I did.
  
  You mentioned the Man U air crash. I can remember the exact spot where I was told that awful news. I was standing at the entrance to the older boys play-ground (near the toilets)when Tom Pender the farmer (with his dog 'Monty')asked me who my football team was team was? I replied Man U. (only because I had recently lived there; I have never been a real fan)and then he told me the sad news. Their manager at that time, Sir Matt Busby had escaped. When I hear of Man U now I often think back to that dark,cold and frosty late evening.
  
  Thanks for the memories,
  
  Eddie
  
  
  
  
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 30-Aug-2011
  Amazed at how much this site has grown! I love Ernie's idea, and perhaps we can all throw some ideas into the pot, so we can get together.
  
  I have just read on the St. Anne's Facebook page that Sister Antonio was 'banged up' - does anyone know anymore about this?
  
  Also wondered if anyone remembered going to Church in the dark when the government tried out turning the clocks back (or was if fo
  rward?)for a couple of years?
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Vincent Xerri (Member 10258198) on 7-Sep-2011
  Hi Eddie Johnson, Sorry Eddie I just want to make sure this gets to you and not another Eddie. You are right it was Mr Benton the cobbler and tuckshop runner. Br Dominic always seemed a bit tidly (Too much wine maybe). Br Eusibius I remember well as he seemed second in command. When it was my duty to answer the door, he used to let me take as many stamps as I wanted from a huge sack of them. Appar
  ently they came from the local post office in Orpington. I do remember Keith Hillicker well and shared that same friendship with him as you did. Him, me and Ron Callaway all lived in Southampton, so we used to travel home together on the train when we had leave or whatever it was called. I would love to meet up at some venue that suits us all and to include the lady that would like us to meet as well. What about a pub in Orpington or Green St Green. The first pub in Orpington from the school and the first pub in GstG from the school or where it used to be. My email is vincentxerri518@msn.com Let's get it sorted asap as the clock is ticking and I think it would be great.
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Eddie Johnson (Member 10263370) on 8-Sep-2011
  This was also emailed to Vincent directly.
  
  Hi Vincent,
  
  Just read your message on the Orpington Message Board. Lovely to hear from you directly and I am looking forward to a meeting if at all pos
  sible.
  
  I guess the first thing we do is to sort out where we both live. I live in Rainham Kent which is one of the five towns along the river Medway and about 20 miles from Gravesend where I went to when I left Orpington . Do you still live in Southampton. My sister and her husband have recently moved to Three Legged Cross,Wimbourne, New Forrest which is not far from Southampton.
  
  Something we have had planned for about a month now is a trip to Orpington the next time she visits here which will be in the next month or so. Orpington is only about 45 minutes from here.
  
  I said in a previously on the Message Board that I could not remember you. Now I am not so sure. I am sure now I can remember "Xerri" being shouted out in the playground and I think now I can put your face to it. Perhaps you might let me know the origions of the name "Xerri" then I will know.
  
  Do you remember me or my brother John who might have been known as Jack back then?
  
  Really looking forward to a meeting soon.
  
  Regards
  
  Eddie
  
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Mick Ryan (Member 10262367) on 14-Oct-2011
  Hi,
  I have just finished reading Linda Huttons book, Cry and you cry alone.I can't believe how much I didn't know what St Anns was like as I only went to the primary school and only boardered at St Josephs. Thinking back and it may be blocked out I don't rembember talking to any of the girls from St Anns. My brother Jimmy took a lot of abuse, but he fought back and often gave as good as he got. I
  do remember the Dunlops, Alex and Ernie in we kept in touch for many years after St Jo's have lost touch now.
  Linda I loved the book, and the title is so apted I am now 67 and you had tears running down my face, thank you for writing it.
  My email is micky5@hotmail.com please anyone who can recall that period at St Jo's 54/58 plase feel free to make contact, the idea of some kind of reunion sounds good if it could be arranged.
  Mick Ryan
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by charles head (Member 10256321) on 26-Oct-2011
  Cant be many left from my days at St. Josephs 1945-52. Can remember quite a lot despite my age.Anyone who wishes to can contact me on charles.head21@ virginmedia.com

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Lyn Harden (Member 10267118) on 4-Nov-2011
  I was at St anne's from around 61 - 70. I was lucky enough to not be a boarder by the sounds of it. I remember how Sr Antonia had an evil streak.
  Linda I was with you both there and at St Bernadettes and the Lorryman twins were also there. I also remember Rita's sister Angela.
  

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by michael o'reilly (Member 10251150) on 7-Nov-2011
  I would like to leave a message for caroline wilkinson ( caroline little ) The house you were in was called Ancona and there was also an uncle there called Leslie. As you mentioned st julianna i did not know that she was bad. Have you looked on the friends reunited under st ann's convent there is a photo of her. regards

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by suepb (Member 10267374) on 11-Nov-2011
  found this site because a friend heard about Rosalind's book - and the memory's started; I must have been at the school around early 60's because I remember the lorryman twins of an earlier post (possibly them! longish blond hair?).Sister Antonia I remember well - certainly the board cleaner throwing - but it was always strange that for some reason she was not horrible to me, though I remember s
  ome being at the receiving end. And I'm sure it was Sister Juliana that walked up and down the queue in the dining room with the ruler and would just lash out at the back of children's legs.
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Lyn Harden (Member 10267118) on 13-Nov-2011
  Suepb - you must have been there around the same time as me - I was Lynne Shelbourne
  

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by suepb (Member 10267374) on 17-Nov-2011
  Lynne - memories are sketchy aren't they! I remember some things very clearly and others, well .....I took 11+ in Mrs Beazemans (?) class. I had one sister older and one younger there at the same time, Margaret and Eileen Buckley, think it was 1963.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Lyn Harden (Member 10267118) on 18-Nov-2011
  Mrs Beazemans (little woman with dark fuzzy curly hair?)class was the "A" steam IIRC. I can't remember if the delightful Sr Antonia was the top class for me but I was in her class. I do remember you and your sisters' names but can't honestly put a face to them.
  I clearly remember the twins and a few more of the names from earlier.
  Were you in Sr A's class????? I need to try and remember some o
  ther names from there - there was 41 kids in that class, surely I can remember SOME of them
  x
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by suepb (Member 10267374) on 19-Nov-2011
  Mrs Beazeman with the dark fuzzy hair - yes! The only thing I can remember from her class was that she taught us 'verre' in french! I was in Sister A's class at some point - remember learning algebra outside on the lawn. I remember one lad Eugene? Anthony Blandon? Martin Conway? You may remember the Cornwall's - Mary and Celia.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 22-Nov-2011
  i cannot really remember names and faces from my days at the convent..me and my twin sister (janet and helen)spent a few years there..we went to dymchurch and sang in a competion and won,(got another holiday at dymchurch).i remember not only the nuns being cruel but the so called uncles and aunties where to..they use to hit use with the clothes brush...do you rember always going to church and ware
  ing those hats with the elastic that cut into your neck..and haveing to hand over sixpence in the church hat..i must have been really naughty i was always haveing to do our fathers and hail marys..it would be really nice to here from others..there is a photo of jan and me on genes reunited in our communion outfits..and there are a few other people from the convent on there to.
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by david gowing (Member 10265647) on 25-Nov-2011
  hello helen i had 2 sisters at the convent. mary and doreen gowing. it was in the mid 50,s doreen had ginger hair. i also was at st josephs. over side of the church hope to here from you.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 27-Nov-2011
  hello david nice to hear from you..i was at the convent in the early 60's,,doubt if your sisters where there then..when was you at st josephs.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by david gowing (Member 10265647) on 28-Nov-2011
  hello helen. good to hear from you. we missed each other my sisters and me left at the end of the 1950,s did you have a bad time when you was there. i have read so many bad things since i have been on the knowwhere board. i have no complaints i never had any trouble while i was there with the brothers. will write some more soon cheers dave

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 3-Dec-2011
  some of the nuns where sadists not all of them..my sister took a good beating when she refused to wash the kitchen floor..they use to hit us with wooden rosary they where experts at swinging it at your head and it hardly ever missed it's target..do you remember the baker boys one of the boys was called derek.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Lyn Harden (Member 10267118) on 4-Dec-2011
  Helen - I remember you & Janet and Linda Hutton so clearly and can't believe what was going on under my nose. My own mother was the biggest hyprocrite of a Catholic but I never had to put up with cr@p you guys did. xxx

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 5-Dec-2011
  hi lynn..did you attend the school or was you an inmate like us..well i am glad you did not get hit or abused you where the one that got away so to speak...yes the cotholic church has alot to answer to..i very rarely go to church now.xxx

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 5-Dec-2011
  i think that the idea of a reunion is a great idea..maybe after xmas some time..how about it folks.x

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by caroline whitehead (Member 10267749) on 5-Dec-2011
  Hi Helen,
  You would not know me as I was at St.Anne's from 1927-1941. The abuse to the children then was devastating. The whole world should be made aware of what went on during these years, and many after.
  Please read my book published 2008 - 'Surviving the Shadows,' about my life at the orphanage, as it was then known. There are many pictures of Canon Crea, Sister Kevin (the horror)and girls.
  May Lyle is also in the book.
  I'm in touch with Linda Hutton and several others from St.Anne's and St.Jos. through OMBNG. The idea of a reunion would give full exposure, with the medica present, of the treatment of innocent children.
  The book is on Amazon.com. Please support me to get as many people to read my book.
  Fight the cause!!
  Thanks,
  Caroline Whitehead member 10267749
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Lyn Harden (Member 10267118) on 5-Dec-2011
  Hi Helen
  No I wasn't an inmate TFFT by the sounds of it. I was in class with you in Sr Antonia's the years 1 - 3? @ St Bernadettes.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Eddie Johnson (Member 10263370) on 5-Dec-2011
  Hi all,
  
  I had meant to write this up some weeks ago but time did not allow.
  
  A reunion sounds good. I would suggest in the longer and warmer days. April/May time? How about the first weekend in May? This would also give people time to o
  rganise.
  
  I wonder if any of us lives as near to Orpington as I do. I live in Rainham, Kent: a bit nearer than Carloline in Canada.
  
  My sister (lives near Bournmouth)and I and our spouses were in Orpington just a few months ago. As we knew from previous visits there is nothing left of St. Joseph's or the original church which was in between St, Joseph's and St Anne's (Ann's.)There is however two largish buildings left of what was St. Anne's and we were invited in (by the headmaster) to have a look around when school was over. Probably I had never been in them before but it was an emotional time for my sister. There is also a statue of the "Virgin Mary" that I do remember which was there in our time.These two buildings and the statue would also have been there in Caroline's time.
  
  The bad news is that the headmaster told us that there is a possibility of the two buildings coming down next year to make room for something more modern.
  
  My sister also was brave enough to knock on the convent door which was answered by a nun. To our surprise they no longer dress as they used to but are in completely civilian I(if that is the right word)cloths. I am not sure when they kicked the habit.:)
  
  We were invited in and met an elderly nun who was relaxing in her chair. The were very hospitable and warm towards is. They showed us old photographs of the children and drawings of the buildings as they were about to be replaced for a housing estate.
  
  Who remembers the Carlton cinema (the flea pit as it was called) at the bottom of the town and the Commodore a much better cinema at the other end. We visited both many times but the only film I can remember seeing in Orpington was one staring Frankie Vaughan in "The Dangerous Years." I remember seeing Janet Scott in one film and hoping I could meet and marry her when I left Orpington. I am glad I didn't and met Sandra instead.
  
  That's it for now,
  
  Regards
  
  Eddie
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by caroline whitehead (Member 10267749) on 6-Dec-2011
  Hi Eddie,
  Glad to hear OMBKG is up and running. Youv'e no idea how much I look forward to messages.
  The flea pit - I remember - seeing Old Mother Riley and her daughter Kitty. The cinema is not far from the library. Another cinema (Odeon) was in Petts Wood, where I ended up living prior to emigrating to Canada.
  The 2 large building you mention. I remember. One is the old school house. The other
  was the playroom. Well, the old adage: it's time to move on. Just as well. Remember getting walloped with the strap round my legs by Sister Attracta, head teacher, because she caught me laughing.
  If I knew how to put pictures on the board, you can see the Holy Innocent church, St.Anne's and St.Jos. Sadly, I'm not technically-minded.
  Fight the Cause - keep the momentum going.
  A reunion next year sounds great - invite plenty of media, including Orpington newspaper.
  Remember to give plenty of time to those living the other side of the world when you decide to take action. It's a 16 hour gruelling journey from Victoria, BC.
  Most of all, please support my book 'Surviving the Shadows.' Appreciate it.
  Caroline, Victoria BC. Member 10267749
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 6-Dec-2011
  hello caroline..i bought your book a few months ago..have yet to read it all as i have lent it out..i also bought linda hutton book...i think we all have a book inside us, all a a story to tell.x

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 6-Dec-2011
  hiya lyn..i think most of the girls went on to st bernadettes school.would you be up for a reunion next year.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 6-Dec-2011
  what is ombkg?

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Eddie Johnson (Member 10263370) on 7-Dec-2011
  OMBKG=Orpington Message Board: Knowhere Guide
  
  Eddie
  

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by caroline whitehead (Member 10267749) on 7-Dec-2011
  Hi Eddie,
  What happened to your message, or did you simply respond by using OMBKG. Curious. I hate losing what I term as history.
  Caroline Whitehead member 10267749. BC Canada

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Lyn Harden (Member 10267118) on 10-Dec-2011
  I live up on Wirral these days but would be interested in catching up although for me it would be more social than for you guys by the sounds of it.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 10-Dec-2011
  Hi, Rosalinda Hutton here. I have set up a chatboard, for anyone who is looking in and might want to find someone on the dialled line now.
  
  I am a real person and want to set up a sort of 24 hour helpline, for people affected by the issues surrounding care home abuse. I am not very technical either, so all advice gratefully accepted.
  
  'http://messageboards.aol.com/aol/en_us/articles.php?
  boardId=448081&articleId=61&func=6&channel=Money+%26+Finance&filterRead=false&filterHidden=true&filterUnhidden=falselive'
  
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by caroline whitehead (Member 10267749) on 15-Dec-2011
  Hi Linda,
  If you want to develeop the Care Home Survivors Anonymous chat line, members need to come forward to speak out to make it a success.
  I'm still waiting to read their ideas, stories, and where the reunion planned for next May will be held.
  What about the British Legion or if there is a village hall in Orpington available to rent. Perhaps the library has a hall? If we are to hold this im
  portant reunion at Orpington, with media: newspapers, television present, to ask all members to support this cause toward the cost. Planning begins now.
  Eddie Johnson brought forward the idea, recently.
  Fight the Cause - we cannot give in, now
  Caroline Whitehead member 10267749 BC. Canada
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 16-Dec-2011
  i am all for a reunion, but what is all this about the press and media being there?

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by michael west (Member 10250424) on 18-Dec-2011
  I like to wish everyone who knows the west brothers (michael & george )a very merry christmas and happy new year
  xx

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 24-Dec-2011
  a very merry xmas and happy new year to all.xx

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 6-Jan-2012
  hi all...hope you had a good xmas and new year..gone very quiet on here?

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 11-Jan-2012
  Hi everyone and a belated Happy New Year and very much looking forward to a reunion and hope it comes to fruition.
  
  Anyone thinking of making a claim against the Church, do please read my book Cry and You Cry Alone, (Rosalinda Hutton), as it gives a truthful account of what you might expect to face in a worse case scenario, but forewarned, is forearmed and I am happy to answer any queries confid
  entially.
  
  I do not want what happened at St. Anne's to be forgotten, because if it is, it can happen again.
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 16-Jan-2012
  I attach a link that may be of interest here.
  
  http://voiceforchildren.blogspot.com/2012/01/historic-abuse-guest-posting-from-tom.html
  
  

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 24-Jan-2012
  hi all..do you think that this reunion will go ahead..there has not been a very good response to it..and it seems for some reason to have gone very quite on here..mmm wonder why?

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by caroline whitehead (Member 10267749) on 26-Jan-2012
  Helen,
  Agree, this board has gone quiet, sadly. Have members become exhausted in their quest to organize a reunion, as suggested by one member.
  If one needs to get a message across to the public in stating their case of child abuse, now is the time.
  Wishing you every luck for 2012.
  Caroline

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by michael o'reilly (Member 10251150) on 6-Feb-2012
  Hello Everyone, I think a reunion is a very good idear. Using the message board has taught me to deal with my Demons concerning the Convent.Through the comments made by other members, I know that we dont have to suffer in silence any longer . I think that if you keep a reunion simple like choose a day and a public house close to orpington.I will be looking forward to wareing my " Crown of Thorns "
  Oh how the Sisters Loved that Plant!
  
  regards Michael
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 6-Feb-2012
  hi micheal..yes i agree if you keep it simple then i think more people will come to the reunion..well some-one better get it started,otherwise we are going no-where(excuse the pun)..so how about a show of hands.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by michael o'reilly (Member 10251150) on 7-Feb-2012
  Helen thanks for you support, i have sent you a message in friends reunited.
  
  regards Michael

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 7-Feb-2012
  hi micheal. i have replied to your messge on friends reunited.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 7-Feb-2012
  Hi everyone! I hope the idea of a reunion hasn't died a death? I think we just need someone to volunteer to do the organising? I am loathe to volunteer myself, as I am not that good at it! I would suggest we set a date, May/June and perhaps see if there is a small, budget, hotel, with some sort of social/conference area, where we can have several speakers, and some sort of informal drinks/chats
  etc?
  
  What do others think? Eddie where are you? lol
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 7-Feb-2012
  Hi everyone! I hope the idea of a reunion hasn't died a death? I think we just need someone to volunteer to do the organising? I am loathe to volunteer myself, as I am not that good at it! I would suggest we set a date, May/June and perhaps see if there is a small, budget, hotel, with some sort of social/conference area, where we can have several speakers, and some sort of informal drinks/chats
  etc?
  
  What do others think? Eddie where are you? lol
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 7-Feb-2012
  Hi everyone! I hope the idea of a reunion hasn't died a death? I think we just need someone to volunteer to do the organising? I am loathe to volunteer myself, as I am not that good at it! I would suggest we set a date, May/June and perhaps see if there is a small, budget, hotel, with some sort of social/conference area, where we can have several speakers, and some sort of informal drinks/chats
  etc?
  
  What do others think? Eddie where are you? lol
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 7-Feb-2012
  Hi everyone! I hope the idea of a reunion hasn't died a death? I think we just need someone to volunteer to do the organising? I am loathe to volunteer myself, as I am not that good at it! I would suggest we set a date, May/June and perhaps see if there is a small, budget, hotel, with some sort of social/conference area, where we can have several speakers, and some sort of informal drinks/chats
  etc?
  
  What do others think? Eddie where are you? lol
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Eddie Johnson (Member 10263370) on 8-Feb-2012
  Posted(email)directly to Rosalinda this morning:
  
  Hi Rosalinda,
  
  No, I have not forgotten the possibility of a reunion and would be happy to help. Its just that I thought we should get the winter behind us before any serious planning. I guess I must be one of the nearest to Orpington anyway. What part of the country a
  re you?
  
  Just one suggestion: can we call it the St. Joseph's/St Anne's reunion or something like that to create the widest possible interest?
  
  I didn't know we were on Friends Reunited although I did have a quick look at that site a few years ago and will do so again soon.
  
  Will put something on the O.N.B before the weekend; maybe tonight.
  
  Nice to be in touch,
  
  Eddie.
  
  ... more >>

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by caroline whitehead (Member 10267749) on 9-Feb-2012
  Hi Eddie Johnson 10263370
  I agree, it is one thing to get winter over with but planning a reunion takes time and there is no time like the present if this is to be successful. To use an expression: 'we can no longer pussyfoot around.' Our stories must be told with media, ITV Net, local member of parliament (he should know his Orpington history). Orpington newspaper should be given a lead NOW, so
  local news is available.
  Living so far away I cannot give the support in organizing, but I am willing to get on a platform and speak to members of my experiences at St.Anne's.
  This is a great opportunity - one none of us should miss.
  Keep the momentum going - for a good cause.
  Caroline
  
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• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by helen lorryman (Member 10260875) on 9-Feb-2012
  i think the idea of media and the like being at the reunion is putting folk off..surley we should have a realxing reunion first then put it to a vote if the next time we would want the media there..there are lot of us there who would just lie to meet up and see how folk are doing..and not all this heavy stuff from the get go.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by Linda Hutton (Member 10247746) on 9-Feb-2012
  I agree Helen. We want to advertise and reach as many as possible, but we need restrictions to protect individuals privacy. First and foremost it is a social reunion.

• Re: R.C. Primary school Orpington c.1960 by caroline whitehead (Member 10267749) on 10-Feb-2012
  Hi Helen,
  You seem to have hit a sensitive spot and upon reflection perhaps a reunion without the media may allow members to express themselves in a way socially rather than worry about the presence of outsiders. I believe the intention was to have our stories told but if the consensus of members wish to have a social gathering in June, may be this is the direction we should go.. It is certainly
  food for thought and I'm sure all members would agree with you; in other words, to keep the reunion low key. Rather than create tension, which I'm sure none of us need, make it a relaxed get-together for everyone. Thanks for your thoughts.
  Caroline
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• Re: BBC3 World's Strictest Parents by john sullivan (Member 10253489) on 22-Nov-2010
  this is for linda hutton , i have emailed you not sure if you got it , I Have that picture of peter rands and a few nuns if you need it let me know and i will send it to you , look forword to hearing back john x