|
‘Barnardo-ville’ in Barkingside, a third of a mile south-west of Fullwell Cross. Some early cartographers rendered
the name as Mossfoot. There has been a hamlet here since the days when Barkingside was just the name of the parish rather
than a specific settlement. Edward Blore designed its church of Holy Trinity in 1840. Behind this lies Barkingside cemetery.
In 1873 Dr Barnardo established his village home for girls in the grounds of Mossford Lodge, which was leased to him rent-free
as a wedding present. 600 girls were soon accommodated in 30 buildings. Meanwhile, the hamlet of Barkingside was expanding
– its first police station had formerly been the Mossford Arms – and the opening of Barkingside railway station
in 1903 confirmed its local supremacy. Mossford Green was soon swallowed up and its separate identity is now all but forgotten.
One reminder is Mossford Green primary school, on Fairlop Road. Barnardo’s village became a mixed facility in 1939.
In 1975 the charity opened the New Mossford Centre, on Civic Way, as a home for disabled children. Barnardo’s village
closed in 1986 and the New Mossford Centre closed in 1992 as part of Barnardo’s plan to disengage itself from running
children’s homes, in 1992. The surviving cottages of Barnardo’s village have recently been restored and sold as
private residences.
 |
