Comments on: At Morden College

By: Roy Edward Havery

Roy Edward Havery — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 18:14:19 +0000

I had the very good fortune to visit the College again this year and was enchanted by the beauty of the grounds and buildings its well worth a visit if your near. If only all accommodation for the elderly was of such a high standard as the College offers its residents. Try and visit the College chapel if you can the peace calm and serenity is a wonderful experience as is the very friendly and warm welcome I received from every resident and staff member I met during my all to short visit.

By: Bailey Jones

Bailey Jones — Tue, 01 May 2018 16:18:44 +0000

A beautiful place to retire to, when one is weak and weary. A noble man, well remembered.

By: John Cooper

John Cooper — Tue, 01 May 2018 15:06:05 +0000

I lived on the new Greenwich Council housing estate, built next to Morden College in Fulthorp Road from the age of nine, in the late 1950s and early 60s and always wondered what was behind the gates and past the red-bricked gatehouse. I must confess that, as a kid, when I was told that it was a home for ‘retired turkey merchants’, I thought they had traded in the winged variety. Thanks for the enlightening article and photos – 60 years on and my boyhood questions are finally answered.

By: Sally cox

Sally cox — Tue, 01 May 2018 13:53:05 +0000

It’s a magical place, I’m lucky enough to have a friend that lives there and I find the whole place wonderful, from The gardens to the actual buildings themselves, there is so much history attached to the college it fascinates me

By: Jennifer Newbold

Jennifer Newbold — Tue, 01 May 2018 12:10:13 +0000

What a blessing it must have been for men to retire from the sea to such a place! I don’t know much about merchant vessels, but on a ship-of-war a sailor had about 16” of personal space – that was how far apart their berths were hung. So these modest apartments were palatial by comparison! And peaceful. I could live very happily in a place like that, not that I am ever very likely to.

God bless the memory of Sir John Morden. Long may it, and his legacy, endure.

By: Paul Loften

Paul Loften — Tue, 01 May 2018 11:58:10 +0000

I like the term “decayed merchant”. One could almost picture a group of withered old men with ear trumpets and fould tempers on the lawn, attended in their bathchairs, by the resident nurses .

By: Helen Breen

Helen Breen — Tue, 01 May 2018 11:37:17 +0000

I just noticed Malcolm’s reference to the philanthropy of George Peabody (1795-1869). His statue by William Wetmore Story graces the Royal exchange in London. Peabody, a poor farm boy from Danvers, Massachusetts (later renamed “Peabody” in his honor) made a fortune in trade, settled in London, and build/supported the first public housing in that city.

Queen Victoria showed her appreciation for his largess in many ways, including the option to be buried in Westminster Abbey. But Peabody chose to return to his native soil. His body was returned to Peabody accompanied by a royal cortege led by Victoria’s son Prince Arthur – a very interesting story.

The now city of Peabody in next my town of Lynnfield, MA …

By: Helen Breen

Helen Breen — Tue, 01 May 2018 11:20:32 +0000

Greetings from Boston,

GA, it is truly remarkable that Morden College, founded in 1685 as a charitable home for “decayed merchants” survives after these 333 years. The setting reminds me of one of my favorite books – THE WARDEN by Anthony Trollope.

Beautiful pics of the grounds in spring dress too …

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Tue, 01 May 2018 10:33:16 +0000

Cue the harpsichord music! What a place of grace, dignity and purpose.
Wonderful photos — I felt like I could hear the bird song, the rustle of leaves, and your footsteps on the paving stones.
A wonderful tour.

By: Sarah B Guest Perry

Sarah B Guest Perry — Tue, 01 May 2018 08:54:25 +0000

So pretty. I wish I could retire there but I’m on the wrong side of the pond-