Email received 24 July 2018
 
I came upon your site on the internet and saw the pictures of Haslemere. I was brought up in a children's home called Hollyridge in Haslemere.
I lived there from 1945-1950 &
was wondering if you have any pictures or history of the home
Thank you
Richard A Stevens
 
Second eMail 30 July 2018
 
Thank you so much for your letter.
I was born Richard West, in Winchester then taken to Hollyridge in Haslemere at about 6 months old or less.
At age 5 all the children had to leave, either to another home or as in my case fostered to a family with a view to adoption.
Hollyridge was a large house in open grounds with a long drive, greenhouses, tennis courts and holly trees plus quite a lot of Maun grass. The home catered to about 20 children of both sexes. Some had visitors, but mostly we were orphans. [war babies]
The home was run entirely by women so the only man I knew was the gardener in the greenhouse. I spent a lot of time with him and playing in the grounds. It was quite spacious downstairs, with one room for playing and one for sleeping both afternoons and night. I was frequently sick and sometimes the ambulance would come and take me to a hospital.
As I neared 5 I was taken to several homes for overnight stays but in the end I ended up with the Stevens family from Guildford. I lived with them until I was 18 and then moved into a flat.
I came to the USA in 1977.
Once again, thank you for all your help.
Seeking ones past is quite a challenge including finding ones parents, I did find my Mother but never my Father.
 
Yours faithfully
Richard A stevens
Philadelphia USA