I posted the note "dear Poppy 52", we do have something in common, in the hope of getting some kind or response to my message about Gyde House? I am now 71 years of age and have been attempting via this forum, and many others to obtain some kind of response to my pleas for information? Some background on my profile, I was abandoned aged 6 weeks in 1945 by my mother, who was pressured by her parents into placing me in care with the NCH (National Children's Home). I never knew my father (or any other relative fr that matter) though I understand he was a US GI? With my scant knowledge of WWII history, it is likely that he most probably perished on Omaha beach in 1944 along with the other doomed American GI's? My first port of call as a 6 week old infant, was the NCH at Frodsham in Cheshire where I resided for the first 5 years of my life. Following this I was transferred to the NCH at Bramhope in Yorkshire, and lived there up to age 10. The home at Bramhope was then specially adapted and designated for disabled children, and all of the able-bodied children were moved on to other homes. The choice made for me was Gyde House Painswick Glos, where I spend the next and final 5 years up and until age 15 where I left the NCH to start an apprenticeship. I will be the first to tell you that I was a problem child with huge psychological difficulties, and there followed some 15 years of dysfunction until I found my feet, and could reasonably cope independantly (some would argue that I still have these problems, and I would not argue with them?). Over the ensuing years after 2 marriages and 3 children I managed to live a relatively normal life, working, paying my way and contributing to society the way most of us manage to do, and even managing go up to university and to win a Masters in Humanities at the ripe old age of 55. What I really lack, for a variety of differing reasons, is a connection with my past, and I yearn to share my experiences and to socialise with my contempories from either Bramhope or Gyde House, and in particular with David L, Ian Clark, Ann & Frank Green, David H, Brian & Peter Hedges, Jackie Spencer and any others whose names elude me just now. I have a huge store of memories to share, so thanks for your patience and hopefully for your interest. Barry Stevens