Comments on: Memories of the Godfrey Walker Home, and plans for its demolition

By: Amanda wilson

Amanda wilson — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 19:05:14 +0000

I used to live here when it was a nursery. I left when I was two in 1972. I’m intrigued to know what the routines were. I went there in 1970. If anyone remembers it would be lovely to hear stories

By: Robert Rodgers

Robert Rodgers — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 20:28:29 +0000

I have such great memories of this home. My older brother and I lived in the home up to 1982. I remember being a young boy running riot around those grounds and being so care free. I was too young to know it was a childrens home and thought at the time everyone lived that way. We visited a local park and went to a local school which I believe is now a house just up the road. Would be very sad to see it go.

By: Sally Westle

Sally Westle — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 20:46:21 +0000

I was really happy to come across these pictures.I trained at Godfrey Walker in the 1960s.We worked long days but had fun too.I made some life long friends and look back on those days fondly.

By: Mary Mcmanus

Mary Mcmanus — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 18:32:35 +0000

I have fond memories Of helping out at the childrens home in the mid 50s.I was still at school but on a sunday I used to collect a little girl from sunday school.It was held in the hall at the top of Acomb green and she was a resident at Godfrey Walkers.I used to take her home to have tea with my family.Then we would play with her then when she had watched Sooty on tv I would take her home.I would help her get ready for bed then read her a story.I looked forward to my sundays and I think she enjoyed them too.I often think of her and wonder if she remembers me and my family.

By: Lisa @YorkStories

Lisa @YorkStories — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 21:57:08 +0000

Lovely to have these memories added from different times in the history of the building. Thank you Matthew and Deborah.

There have been a couple of letters to the Press, including one from Anne Church, of Severus Avenue:

“AM I correct in my belief that the Carlton Tavern and the former Oakhaven are both to become homes for the elderly?

This means that if you are young and trendy you should live in the Bishopthorpe Road area or similar and Acomb becomes a waiting room for what?

The Carlton Tavern is a beautiful building and it is a shame to lose it for social use – Acomb has missed out again on a wonderful opportunity.”
(http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/features/readersletters/15171421.Acomb_is_turning_into_a_waiting_room__letter_/)

The contrast with the ‘Bishy Road’ area is something I thought about too.

Seems that many people are just accepting that demolition is inevitable.

Shouldn’t be that way and I hope that Acomb/Holgate and perhaps even wider York will challenge this and not just roll over and say it’s ok.

By: Deborah Roberts

Deborah Roberts — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 10:40:03 +0000

I remember the house well and its use as a children’s home.
The building itself is handsome and indeed a good example of the era in which it was built , it would be short sighted to destroy it as in time these houses will become as important as say the Shambles in now.
As for its previous use.
I worked at Rowntrees with a female supervisor who having had a child out of wedlock but refusing pressure to have the baby adopted managed to get the baby into the home.
She visited ever week without fail and finally stood her ground with her family and at five years old brought her home.
She had nothing but praise for the care given though in this day and age we would think it somewhat regimented nurses in uniform , matron etc .
It was a very normal sight to see all the little ones out playing on the front lawns and I think many wondered at the situations that had brought these little ones there.