My Caldecott Memories

Barry Northam
[1950 – 1960]

(Written in 2010)

One reason for my being at Caldecott was that my mother had suffered what was in those days referred to as a “nervous breakdown” and was unable to look after me, my younger brother and sister. Another reason was the need to deal with my own psychological problems. Although I have of course no conscious memory of this, my twin sister had died at birth, and I was very introverted and, I think, hyperactive [mentally; during my childhood I tried to avoid sports and other physical activity]. My having to leave the family was explained to me as resulting from a need to rest from schoolwork. My parents told me that they and a child psychiatrist had considered sending me to live on a farm for a year or sending me to “boarding school” and had decided on the second alternative. I am sure it was the right decision: I am happy to be writing this for this website rather than the Farmers’ Weekly.

I was at Caldecott between September 1950 and Easter 1960. It was then of course the Caldecott Community, and was based at Mersham-le-Hatch. In 1950 Caldecott had a reception centre down the road into the village at New House [ like Mersham-le Hatch, this was a stately home leased to the Community by Lord Brabourne] and I went there first..

Please note: Full names of former Caldecott children are given in these Memories only if they have given their permission, have themselves publicly (on the Internet) shared that they were children at Caldecott, or are known to be dead. Others are identified by first name and initial only. If a mistake has been made (for which we apologise), or if you wish to be identified, please let us know.