What is "beechholme"

Beechholme was a children's home in Fir Tree Road, Banstead, Surrey. It was founded in 1879 as a Residential School for poor children from the slums of Kensington and Chelsea and run under a Village system. The houses were run by 'house parents'. There was a school, chapel, playing fields, etc. The regime was tough, but not altogether unlike that of paying residential schools of the time. Later, children came from other parts of London and the London County Council took over responsibility, followed by Wandsworth Borough Council. In 1974 the school was closed and the property sold for development as the High Beeches Estate. The site was demolished in 1975. The Beech Holme Pavilion was built on the old site, and now is the site of the Beeches Montessori Nursery and local children's football clubs.

The London Metropolitan Archives hold records of the children who resided at the school. Former residents of the home include the television presenter Dilly Braimoh, who is producing a television programme on Beechholme and its former residents.