Former Barnardo's boy on a quest for answers

Ted Elliott bought The Duck-Pond at Aldwick, painted by Joan Ings, at an auction.

His efforts to discover more about the artist who created the oil painting have thus far proved unsuccessful.

He said: "I would like to know when the painting was created. It pictures the duck pond as it would have appeared around the first two decades of the 20th century.

"I would also like to know something about the life and times of Joan Ings. My interest is explained by the fact I would like to write a book about my life and times in Bognor."

Mr Elliott. 70, lived in the Dr Barnardo's Margaret Home at Aldwick for eight years from January 1946.

The duck pond was in the grounds of the home.

"Life at the home was very strict," he recalled. "But I don't think it did us any harm. There was no welfare state or benefits like that at the time."

Mr Elliott, of Orchard Park in North Bersted, has retrieved his notes from his time at the home to enable him to find out as much as possible about his early life.

He worked for WH Smith in Bognor Regis when he left the home before he joined the Royal Navy and the merchant navy. He returned to the Bognor area a few years ago.

The duck pond is now a community asset along Aldwick Road, following the demolition of the Barnardo's home more than 30 years ago, and is looked after by the Aldwick Preservation Society.

Mr Elliott is a life member of the society and bought the painting at an auction to mark its 30th anniversary in 2007.

He also belongs to the Aldwick Conservation Society which cares for the green opposite.

Anyone with information about Joan Ings should contact him on 07906 653260.

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