Introduction

Launch Screening at BFI

Thanks to everyone that came along to the launch screening of Escaping the Blitz at the BFI in London on the 24th Jan 2020. We had such a big crowd that we had to open up a second viewing area so everyone could watch the film at the same time!

The children introduced their project and talked about the research they undertook, the training they received and the interviews they recorded and filmed. Some of the children also read out their creative writing. This was followed by a screening of the film then a Q&A with the film-makers and some of the interviewees. We had a speech from Mark Reid from the BFI and following the thank yous a singalong to 'We'll Meet Again'. We appreciated all the interviewees and their companions staying behind for a coffee and a natter at the BFI for a good few hours to debrief.

Lord Alf Dubs visits Furzedown Primary School

Lord Alf Dubs came to Furzedown Primary School to speak about his own experiences as a refugee on the Kindertransport and coming to Britain in the 1930s. He spoke about the political background to his journey, how bewildered he was as a young child and how awful it was having to leave his mother behind in Nazi occupied Prague as she was not granted a visa. He spoke about the two day train journey through Europe alone with other children before arriving in Britain where he was met by his father. He talked about how disorientated he was arriving in London, of being here without speaking the language and also his ignorance of the political situation that led to his journey.

Many of his experiences brought up the stories told previously during the project by both the evacuees we have met as well as the more recent refugees who came to speak to the children. He then spoke about his work to get the UK to accept more child refugees from conflicts today particularly from Syria and how his own experiences being given refuge in the 1930s has informed his actions today. There were plenty of questions from the children and discussion. Thanks very much to Alf for taking time to come and speak to the children.

Sound Recording

Interviews take place at Furzedown

In groups of four the children conducted 12 interviews over three days. There were many wonderful, poignant and painful memories told by the interviewees.

Following their interviews, many of the guests met the writers' group to talk more about their experiences and answer their questions.

Filming an interview

Interviews take place at St Thomas'

In groups of four the children conducted 12 interviews over two days, with some travelling from as far as Eastbourne, we are grateful to all the interviewees for taking the time to come and talk to the children and being so honest in their responses.

Following her interview, Lotte Moore also gave the whole class a workshop based on her book, Lotte's War, which was very well received.

Interview with Lotte Moore

Carol introducing the children to the V1 and V2 rockets

Visit to Imperial War Museum

On Friday 27th September St Thomas' and Furzedown Primary Schools both visited the Imperial War Museum for a day of activities. While one school was touring the exhibits the other was talking to Kitty and Bernard about their experiences as evacuees.

The Children were fascinated by the model of a house from WWII and were asked to find the many instances where the house was adapted to cater for wartime. The V1 and V2 rockets were also a big draw!

Kitty and Bernard introduced themselves and told the groups about their lives as evacuees and the children then asked them questions about their experiences. This was a fantastic way for the children to understand both the process and emotional investment from parents, evacuees and host communities in the evacuations throughout the war.

Talk & Reminiscence Session

Digital:works gave an illustrated talk to a large group at Furzedown Project on the 21st August with specific references to the local area. It covered the bombing raids from WW1, an experience which affected the UK government's plans to evacuate children from urban target areas in WW2. Nazi Germany's expansion across Europe also saw people leaving their homes either as refugees or evacuated through schemes such as the Kindertransport. Aerial bombing during the Spanish Civil War saw mass evacuation of children, particularly from the Basque region with 3,000 coming by boat to the UK and 45,000 going to Mexico.

Once WW2 was inevitable the group learned that Operation Pied Piper was put into action and saw mass evacuations from urban to countryside and all the issues raised by that. The talk also covered how there were three main waves of evacuations during the war, one at the outbreak, another when bombing really started to hit hard and again when the V1 and V2 bombs hit.

The talk concluded by looking at Syria and the mass dispalcement of people to neighbouring areas looking for safety from the war.