The Windermere Children BBC 2 9pm 27 Jan

[stanleycamel]

I have heard many times about this true story set at the end of World War 2 and seen interviews with people who were involved. To commemorate National Holocaust Day this drama is being broadcast on BBC at 9pm - a remarkable story from the worst of times.

Excerpt taken from BBC media centre to describe the programme

"August, 1945. A coachload of children arrive at the Calgarth Estate by Lake Windermere. They are child survivors of the Nazi Holocaust that has devastated Europe’s Jewish population. Carrying only the clothes they wear and a few meagre possessions, they bear the emotional and physical scars of all they have suffered.

Charged with looking after them is Oscar Friedmann, a German-born child psychologist. He and his team of counsellors have just four months to help the children reclaim their lives. By the lake, in sunshine and rain the children eat, learn English, play football and ride bikes. They yearn for news of their loved ones every day, and meanwhile they are invited to express their trauma through painting. Some locals taunt them but they are embraced by others. A number of the older children steal and they are haunted by nightmares. Nevertheless, it is in this environment that they begin to heal.

Eventually, letters from The Red Cross arrive with the terrible confirmation that for nearly all the children their siblings and parents have been murdered. One child, however, is convinced that his brother survived.

The Windermere Children is the stark, moving and ultimately redemptive story of the bonds they make with one another, and of how the friendships forged at Windermere become a lifeline to a fruitful future. In the absence of relatives, they find family in each other."

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Thanks for the heads up, sounds very good. Set to record.

I wonder how many in this Country know about these children. Very much like the Kindertransport in 1939.

[StorybookCircus]

I don’t want this thread to get locked due to politics but I hope this program and others like it will have an impact on those who want to change the law to prevent unaccompanied child migrants from entering the U.K.
What would have become of these children- and those on the Kindertransport- if our government hadn’t allowed them in? The truth doesn’t bear thinking about.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by StorybookCircus

I don’t want this thread to get locked due to politics but I hope this program and others like it will have an impact on those who want to change the law to prevent unaccompanied child migrants from entering the U.K.
What would have become of these children- and those on the Kindertransport- if our government hadn’t allowed them in? The truth doesn’t bear thinking about.

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Best not to read about the St Louis ship in 1939 then!

That was adults and children and as numerous Countries refused them they got returned to Germany albeit a few European Countries did take a few passengers.

[disney332]

Set to record

Thanks for the prompt.

Everything else aside, i had no knowledge of this.

Disney332

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by disney332

Set t tape.

Thanks for the prompt.

Everything else aside, i had no knowledge of this.

Disney332

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I went to a predominantly Jewish junior school and that's where we learnt about this history.

[soooexcited!]

I'm going to watch too. I dont know enough history and I'm trying to read up before my trip to Auschwitz later in the year. I watched an extremely graphic programme last night about film shot by forces cameramen in concentration camps. It was horrific but an extremely stark reminder of events. I spent time years ago staying in married quarters in Celle Germany. I had no idea that Trenchard barracks was where nearby Belsens prisoners were questioned before execution. I'm also ashamed to say I didnt know the sheer volume of adults turned away from countries including the UK after liberation.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Have a look for Auschwitz Untold : In Colour.

They have colourised old footage, worth an hour of your time.

‘Anybody who survived the camps lives for ever’

[stanleycamel]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Have a look for Auschwitz Untold : In Colour.

They have colourised old footage, worth an hour of your time.

‘Anybody who survived the camps lives for ever’

See more...

There is also a programme called The Windermere Children: In their own words on BBC 4 at 1030pm after transmission of the main programme.

[princess allie]

Thanks for sharing this, I’ll record it