Care of St.Christophers, 1959 for BTF
“Happily I was now able in small measure to repay some of my debt to Jimmy Ritchie. The next film for me after THE ENGLAND OF ELIZABETH was his first picture as a director, and it turned out to be a very charming one. It was about a railway orphanage in Derby run by a lady who reminded you of Margaret Rutherford. 
She truly understood us all, children and grown-ups alike, and loved the children as they did her. I had never found myself in such a happy place and when I said so to Jim it must have stayed in his mind because THE HAPPY PLACE became the working title (though it finished up as CARE OF St CHRISTOPHER’S). She encouraged the children to keep their own pets,”It’s very good for them to manage things entirely on their own and I try never to interfere. There was a boy who kept pigeons, a bright nice boy. After a time he started to sell them to people outside – nothing wrong in that at all but then they started to come back – pigeons do you see, and then he would sell them again. I thought well if people are foolish enough …. but in the end I had to put a stop to it.”
Every evening we took the children up to bed. They would take a flying leap into your arms to be carried to the dormitory. The confidence and love they poured out was such a gift to the spirit, but it was also heartbreaking – especially as I knew it was the only time it would ever happen to me. Frank Brice used to call her Mrs Fizackerly. I don’t know her real name but she was a great woman. She had an inimitable voice, but of course that couldn’t be allowed, and it is the usual numbing voice-over that is on the film.” (Clara) The film ends with a superbly lit corridor shot.
David responded enthusiastically to the anarchic and unpredictable nature of children, encouraging their freedom of spirit, and something of this can be sensed in CARE OF ST.CHRISTOPHERS, beginning with waking in the dormitory and going off to school, through to night time ablutions. No solemn moments are allowed as parents cuddle and lark in the grounds of the House. The film stresses the nature of the family at St.Christopher’s, how each child has his/her own talents and problems. It is a compelling moment when the younger of two brothers spots the camera on him. What a Grandparent David would have made, and how poignant his reflections on how this would never be.
In response to watching the film, by Sheila Taylor (nee Hewerdine)
I did go to Miss Seavers funeral and I often stayed at her cottage. Miss Bisset tells me quite alot of news regarding old pupils when she writes to me. My father used to visit all nine of us every sunday without fail, we used to stand at the top of the drive and wait for him getting off his bus at the bottom and run all the way down with our arms open! It really brings tears to my eyes, he took us to the sweetie shop as in the film and we chose our sweets off penny trays. I remember the guinea pigs too and the little garden patches that we tended. I was at St.Christophers from 1959 -69. I was 8 yrs old and still have the original admiission paper and letter from British Rail telling my father what time train and date to take us there. I could write about St.Christophers forever but there will never ever be a place like it again.
” I was a child who grew up in St Christohers from 1959-68,, I had many very happy times there,, and knew Miss Seaver, and Miss Bisset very well..regards…Mr J S Hewerdine
I was a child who also grew up in St Christophers 1959-68 as Jeffrey was my younger brother, there were nine of us in total and we have fond memories of the place we called home. I still keep in contact with Miss Laura Bisset and it was certainly a happy place.
There is a reunion at the Travellers Rest Ashbourne road Derby 2pm 22nd May Perhaps too late to notify you ( I have only just found this page). I shall be going with my wife Carol & my sister, Cherry I was at St.Kit’s from 1952(?) until about 1958-9
Regards.
Peter
I was there 1952-1958/9. There a is a reunion at Travellers Rest, Ashbourne Rd Derby 2pm 22 May.I shall be attending with my sister , Cherry. Sorry to be late, I have just found this page.
Dear Peter, I’m afraid your comments got lost in ‘Spam’ – but I hope the reunion went well, Rachael
Sheila if you read this please email me and I will put you in touch with Elizabeth (Liz) my big sister. I remember St Kits as it played a big part in making me the person I am today.
Miss Bisset was a real trooper I remember that when I went to Senior school she made my school scarf to save money… hw did she find the time to do that …run the home and play the organ in the chapel. andy@marshallart.co.uk
Hi to anyone who remembers me. My name is Georgia and I was placed at St Christophers with my brother Kelvin in 72 from Birmingham. I remember Miss Bisset ‘a real gem’ who didnt stop caring for anyone, her heart was so good and still carried on the good work even people left her care, would fins the time to visit no matter the distance and alsways bring big reassurance along with her, great woman.
Hi we was a family who lived at st christopher.Family name was Jepson. Diane was 10 year 1959 stayed till 1965.Anne was 9 1959 stayed till 1968.Ernest 2 1954 stayed till 1968. Janet thats me 1 1/2 1954 stayed till 1969. It was a lovely place. Miss Bisset and Miss Seaver was very lovely people.We all had fond memories.
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hi there,i am new to this,but does anyone remember me,my name is reggie harrison,thats wat every one used to call me(reginald is my proper name)i had a brother who was also there same time,and a sister named sandra,i went to st christophers ageg 3 years,in 1950 to 1959.
and my brothers name was mervyn.
Hi I am new to this. I was In st Christopher in 1954 my name was Janet Jepson does anyone remember the Jepson family? michaelball192@yahoo.co.uk
hi my family were their 1961 1969 i am a twin to carol quigley,a bother michael and keith. does anyone remember us, i`m elaine. would love to see photo`s of home.