NEN Gallery

In 1902, the Stepney Board of Guardians purchased land to the west of Clockhouse Lane on which to build a children's home. Orphaned or abandoned children came not only from East London, but also from other parts of the country as well. It was not a self-contained establishment; children from the home went to the village school, and the boys formed an essential part of the church choir. These links with the village continued until 1935 when the home was closed and the buildings converted into an approved school for delinquent boys. In 1969 it became Ardale community home run by the London Borough of Newham for boys aged 13-17.