A Lake District school has opened a memorial garden for the Windermere Children.
Eighty years ago, 300 orphaned Jewish children, following the liberation of Nazi concentration camps in 1945, found refuge on the Calgarth Estate near Windermere.
The Lakes School, on the site of the Calgarth Estate, has created Bud and Blossom: Reflection Garden to mark the anniversary.
It was officially opened by Arek Hersh MBE, Joanna Millan BEM, Harry Olmer MBE, and Jackie Young, all of whom were liberated from Nazi concentration camps and came to live on the Calgarth Estate.
Nearly a decade ago, Sir Ben Helfgott, a fellow Holocaust survivor and Olympic weightlifter, planted a sapling at The Lakes School in memory of those who perished.
The arrival of the Windermere Children was made possible thanks to Leonard Montefiore, the philanthropist who set up the resettlement scheme.
Montefiore, a passionate advocate for social justice, believed that every child, no matter their starting point, deserved the chance to thrive.
Through his vision and determination, he secured government approval and funding to bring the children to Britain, offering them a safe haven, education, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
Luke Brown, of The Lakes School, inducted Arek Hersh as an honorary alumni, recognising his outstanding contribution to Holocaust education.
The afternoon continued with a special gathering at Windermere Library, where Trevor Avery, of The Lake District Holocaust Project, and Angie Cohen, chair of the 45 Aid Society, reflected on the legacy of the Windermere Children and the enduring importance of Holocaust remembrance.
Luke said: “This is not just a moment in history we are remembering; it is a lesson for the future. The Bud and Blossom garden will stand as a reminder to our students and community of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of compassion.”
