Knickerbocker Glory (an orphan's story) by J.C.G Lowdell

"And so it came to pass that I found myself arriving at Stockwell House, Spurgeons Homes for Children - Birchington, Kent, one cool crisp autumnal day. It was October 30th, 1974 - All Hallows Eve. 

This is the night that Muhammed Ali became heavyweight champion of the world for the second time when he knocked out George Foreman in the 'Rumble in the Jungle.' Jamaican singer, Ken Boothe had just hit No.1 in the charts with his smooth classic, 'Everything I own.' And Arsenal were joint bottom of the First Division after 14 games! Crazy times!

I was also pretty battered to be honest- myself and my younger brother Bill had spent summer in a very tough council run children's home, with dangers on every corner. I arrived with a broken right wrist heavily in plaster and more than a little traumatised. But we were reunited with our little brother and sister, so it was a great joy and relief. 

Stockwell House was run with meticulous care by one amazing Christian lady- Barbara Harris, who that day became our houseparent. The house was a mixture of children aged between 6 and 16. There were 10 of us in total and I was the eldest boy, at 12 years old. The first thing I noticed was how clean everything was. Barbara kept such a ship-shape house and there was no messing with her regime. She was most forthright, with old school values, strict cleanliness and a moral code that let the children know what was right and what was wrong. But although I had a few run-ins with her (as a highly intense and troubled teenager), she always tried to be fair and most importantly she had a kind heart which shone through. She had a good sense of humour too. 

And I'd not been used to a house like this- with polished floors so clean you could see your face in them. The light shone bright through the large windows and Barbara would not tolerate one speck of dust to flitter about in those searching beams! The airing cupboard was full of fresh warm linen, with a sweet aroma of cleanliness I can still remember and detect in my nostrils to this very day. The food was of high quality and for that first meal we had fish fingers and a lovely pudding. And, as it was half-term and my first night, I was allowed to stay up and watch the big fight. This was a great start for my relationship with my new 'Auntie.' She was from a long line of tough Welsh valleys stock, so no doubt appreciated a good scrap herself!

But most importantly, that night- she knew she had a proper competitive minded young boy in her care, and was prepared to nurture this. I felt like I had an ally and felt safe for the first time in a long time. I slept in a large room with my two younger brothers. The beds were immaculately made with crisp white sheets, folded with 'envelope' corners. To this day, I have always put cleanliness as one of the most important virtues, as well as 'envelope corners!'

The next day I got to meet the Principal of the Homes, John Honey- who took me to Broadstairs to get my school uniform. This was a happy day. It wasn't scary at all. I had been granted a place at Chatham House Grammar School for Boys in Ramsgate; a historic and traditional school of high standards and repute, where the Prime Minister Edward Heath had attended. So choosing my smart new green uniform was a delight. Moreover, John Honey was a true old-fashioned gentleman. He was caring, empathetic and kind; but strict and stern at the same time, if he needed to be. I warmed to him immediately and was eager not to disappoint him. 

Afterwards, my new 'Uncle' John took me to the Wimpy in Margate and I also had my very first Knickerbocker Glory- yum! yum! Also that first week Barbara asked me if I would like to go to the kids disco the following Friday at the Birchington Village Centre. I'd never been to a disco before and the idea was very exciting! She said that when I got home from school she would take me to the clothes shop to choose some new trousers, shirt and shoes for this special occasion. So, I chose crepe shoes (all the rage in 74). a wide collared white shirt with vintage cars on it, and some fashionable blue flares. I also purchased some Brut33, so I would smell great; like our own very heavyweight champ Henry Cooper- who was advertising it at the time as 'splash it on all over!' And I did!

So on the Friday November 8th 1974 after my first week at school, I attended my first disco with some of my new friends. And I absolutely loved it. The 70's music and the lights, the buzzing atmosphere and most of all the girls dancing to the great disco songs of the time- 'Rock you Baby' - George Macrae, The Stylistics, Kool and the Gang and of course Hues Corporation- 'Rock the Boat.' Most of all I loved the great hit by Mud- 'Tiger Feet'- for which we also had our own dedicated dance; and for which my new crepe shoes had been invented. 

I also learned early, that one of the main objectives of the evening was to pluck up the courage to ask a girl to dance to a slow one- probably 'The way we were' by Barbara Streisand, which was the biggest hit of that year. Now that took a new level of bravado! From then on the disco would become the highlight of my week and my main social scene. It's also where I learned those subtle interactions between boys and girls- the nuances, the posturing, the shyness and awkwardness of youth; how to dance, what to say and what not to say and of course- those first innocent little kisses! This was my place of social education, and I loved it. I also dreamed of meeting my perfect girl. Maybe someone who looked like one of the girls from the new Swedish Eurovision winners- ABBA! Yeah right- in my dreams!'

Fast forward nearly 50 years: Saturday June 18th 2022

Minnis Bay - Birchington - Spurgeon's Reunion

Twas a most beautiful sunny, breezy summer Saturday afternoon- I drove over to Kearns Hall in Minnis Bay, Birchington, for my first ever Spurgeons Reunion. And I'd also been asked to deliver a speech for the occasion. 

Most importantly, I would be meeting auntie Barbara again, for the first time in over 40 years!

The day was very special and truly remarkable. Such a magical afternoon. Not only did I get to see Barbara again (and got on famously with her), I also got to see my old housemate Susan B, who was there with her wonderful husband. We all sat at the same table for tea like a little family, just like we had all those years ago back in Stockwell House. Innocent days when Sue had David Cassidy on her wall and I had Charlie George, and the world was so very young! 

It was an emotional afternoon. Many tears were shed; especially for Susan's younger sister Karen, who so sadly, had recently passed away after serious illness. I remembered Karen's lovely smiling face back in the day. Everyone had their story and every story was tough, emotional, and very moving; but also filled with such acceptance and gratitude. 

My friend David (who at 16 years was actually the child who was in the homes the longest), stood up and delivered a most powerful and poignant speech. One thing that really shone out from his words is that Spurgeons had kept us safe. That many children of those times fell prey to sinister characters in state run homes. And that we had indeed been most fortunate and blessed. The underlying theme was of a group of faithful people, all united by being Spurgeon's children, refusing to harbour any bitterness or resentment- only great thankfulness and joy that we were safe, loved and cared for so well-  and that by the grace of God, had survived our childhoods and lived to see this day. 

And whatever our ages, or whatever era of the homes we were from, or how long we were there, we all felt like one big family. We sung the special old Spurgeons hymn at the end- 'Sequimini Optima' (Try for the best)- a motto I hold close to me and have always strived to live by. And by trying for the best- I've often found the best! It was like old times- a nostalgic, sunny, breezy Birchington afternoon- the evocative aroma of the beach in the air. I thought about the day I arrived, all those years ago...

And so it was with a full heart of gratitude and joy that I was able to deliver my speech and personally thank Barbara for all she did for me, putting up with me at such a difficult phase of my development, and taking me to my first Arsenal match, to engage in some banter by reading out some of the comments from my old blue report cards.

This certainly raised a few laughs, mainly at my own expense rather than Barbara's. And to be fair, she was very moved and kindly told me so afterward when I took her to catch her train at Birchington station. After the train pulled out I walked the few yards to the old Village Centre- still very much the same, although smaller than I'd remembered it. I smiled the broadest of smiles with a profound feeling of joy and thankfulness in my heart. 

Because in the last part of the speech I'd just delivered at the reunion, I'd spoken of faith and destiny, and of miracles and powers beyond ourselves. And I'd shared the story of that auspicious first night in Spurgeons, and Barbara encouraging an innocent young boy to go his first Birchington Village Centre Disco, all those years ago on that col November night in 1974. 

But most importantly, I'd also been able to personally share with Barbara, and indeed all the folks at the reunion, a most beautiful twist to the tale. 

Friday November 7th 1980

Exactly 6 years to the day after that little boy went to his first disco, he returned to Birchington Village Centre as an 18 year old young man, for one last under-18 disco! Many adventures had passed and he had been out of care for 3 months now, and he'd joined his first band a couple of days before. So, as the lead singer, he didn't want to turn up at the first rehearsal without a girlfriend, so he went to the disco. 

At 8.20pm (yes 20-20 vision), he spotted on the dance floor the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen- one Niki Glass from Margate, and for him it was love at first sight. 

And he plucked up the courage to ask her to dance, and she said "yes!" She was an orphan too (lost her Dad at 7 like he had lost his Mum at 7). He asked her out and she "Yes!" again and he got to kiss her at the end of the evening. And then he went home and told his band he'd just met the girl he was going to  marry! (Not that she knew that!) Serendipity. 

The next night he took her on a first date to see 'The Blues Brothers.' Cool right? And he walked her home. The next day he invited himself round to her house (always bold!) and on the Monday, he arrived at her cosy little home on his motorbike- smart, sharp, smelling great and bang on time.  And waiting for him with such a warm welcome were his beautiful new girlfriend Niki, and her wonderful, kind and caring Mum – Betty. And they took him in and fed him, stray cat that he was! And as he’d been taught, he displayed impeccable manners and charm. And he and Betty got on very well. And she invited him back the next night, and then the next. You know what strays are like! And after this, he was there most evenings and weekends.