'The Rose Tree Estate' is a fictional collective of places in which the author spent the early part of their life. The characters have been constructed by distilation and amalgamation of many people known through first hand experiences and through stories heard and read.
One of the background stories began in 1899 when The Bermondsey Board of Guardians purchased Shirley Lodge farm, then changed the use, and in 1904 they opened, what would become a village for children who had no other place to live. The village consisted of houses where the children could live. A school, a laundry, workshops, a farm and a swimming pool.
The Guardians kept close supervision over the running of the village. In 1930 the London County Council took over until the London Boroughs were formed in 1965. The village was closed in 1983. In this location, and in other children's homes, and other institutions, many children found refuge and safety. There were many good and kind carers but unfortunately there were also many evil people who took advantage of their situation and subjected many children to horrific abuse.
This book is an attempt to shine a broader light on the good and a brighter light on the evil.
Sadly, as demonstrated by child abuse enquiries, children in the care of the state have not all been treated well. Many suffered greatly at the hands of their carers. The stories that appear in the media often reflect that small section of the life within care homes. This book aims to broaden the narrative and show both the bad and the good within these structures. The book also attempts to add an historical perspective the story runs between 1935 and to around 2016. The awful stories are always bought well to the fore, some of these are included in the book. There are also stories about the good people, who did care, and who did their best to provide a loving home for those who needed it. Further there are stories of those who grew up and went on to live enjoyable lives. However, Kristopher's story truly shocking.
Author's Nota Bene: - "This is dedicated to all who, like me, spent their childhood within such institutions. This should not be taken as an autobiography, I have delibrately not included myself as a character, although it does contain many of my experiences. It is not written from my perspective but from the perspective of a man of sixty-three years, whose name is Kristopher. He seeks the help of a pychiatrist to assertain what he has been hiding from himself for the past sixty years, since he lived on the notorious 'Rose Tree Estate', which was a group of children's care homes. I hope that his story provides a stark contrast between his position, when a child, and the position of the other children who reside on 'The Rose Tree Estate'."
