Hill Top Children's Home, Ilkley

Hill Top was initially a convalescent home but became a children's home in the late 1950s.

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Peter Foster spent part of his childhood in Hill Top children's homes and his memories have recently been published and are available to buy.

This very personal memoir of the 1960s tells of how, following his mother's suicide, he went tothe children's home off Wells Road in Ilkley. 

In the book, Staring into Water, he describes the home as a "large, imposing building with four floors" and "ornate iron gates".

The book is illustratred with some black and white photos.

Tragically, he recounts his time there as turbulent years in which he experienced harshness and  cruelty. But he also describes his childhood love of football, cricket and fishing. And he recollects holidays in Cleethorpes and also the kindness of some of the adults with whom he had contact.

Peter says of Staring into Water "Growing up in the 1960s was a very different experience from what it is today. Children had no voice and life was what it was - we just got on with things. My story has been a source of torment for over 50 years. My true account of those four turbulent years, the guilt of the children's home and ghosts of the past have finally been put to rest."

Staring into Water is available from Amazon and Waterstones for £8.99. Or as a Kindle ebook, also through Amazon, for £3.