The Red House, Ripon

Barnardo’s Event at The Red House

26th October 2022

Mark Clifford was our guest speaker at The Red House talking about his childhood when, in 1964, he was abandoned at 3 weeks old and stayed in the former Barnardo’s Children’s Home (now beatifically transformed into The Red House retirement village) until 1971. He was accompanied by four retired Barnardo’s nurses who also told their stories of working at the former home.

“I cannot let this moment go by without writing to you to offer our sincere and heartfelt gratitude for organising this afternoon’ s event.

I know that Brenda, Margaret, Anne, and Cybil will echo my comment that the staff were outstanding and the hospitality you and others gave us was second to none and you are all a credit to your organisation.

The owners were absolutely lovely and welcoming and I hope they will have taken some memories away with them to cherish and to become part of the history and story of (The) Red House.

My memories lie in the past, brought to life now and again when I visit. Your owner’s memories are still to be made and hope they are many and as happy as ours were.

Today has been one which will live with me forever and the opportunity to view my old dorm was a very special and moving moment in my life and I can never thank you, your staff, and organisation for allowing me to be in the room I remember so well and which was part of my formative first 7 years of life and which I had not been in since 1971!

Please pass on our best wishes to the owners who attended today and to all the staff who helped make the day such a momentous occasion for us.” – Mark Clifford