“Havens East” at Anglia Ruskin University. The memory of the Basque War Children has won the UK Lottery

We have to admit, we don’t know what happens to all the profits from the so-called National Lottery in Spain end up, but according to data from 2019, that number was greater than €2.9 billion.  That’s €500 million more than the annual revenue taken in in Araba.  We’re sure it goes to good causes, though with the language they use to explain how they “contribute to society“, it seems like it’s a private company with an active CSR department than a public entity.

But why are we talking about the Lottery.  Because, unlike the Spanish Lottery, it is quite clear where the money obtained from the UK Lottery goes.  For example, in 1994, some £8 billion was shared with more than 44,000 heritage projects across the United Kingdom.

One of the projects that has benefited is that started by Anglia Ruskin University with the name Havens East.  This project, led by Dr. Jeannette Baxter, tells the story of the Basque War Children who took refuge in East Anglia. 

Anyone who’s spent any time reading our blog will rapidly discover our interest and passion for the stories of these boys and girls who had to leave their homeland to escape the horrors fascism brought to our land.  A large part of our attention is focused on the stories of those who took refuge in Great Britain because we’re awed not only by the solidarity so many good people showed by taking them in, but also with their commitment to never forget that story or those Basque children.

And that is why we were thrilled to discover that the Havens East project is financed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  We never cease to be amazed by how many such good friends we Basques have beyond our borders.

The Havens East project is, to put it bluntly, extraordinary.  And their website shows us just how much.

We never tire of thanking those good people who are so committed to the cause of Freedom and Democracy, nor their good hearts.  Nor must we ever tire of thanking all those who helped keep that part of the history of our People alive.  They all deserve recognition as Friends of the Basques.

We found this story thanks to one of those groups of extraordinary people: the Basque Children of ’37 Association, who reported it on their Twitter feed:

We are proud to have been involved in the Havens East project with @RootsNew – please have a look at the wonderful online exhibition https://t.co/u3ttjm73Ae to learn more about the Basque children who stayed in Cambridge and Norfolk #RefugeeWeek2020 pic.twitter.com/m2zkrS3Dub

— Basque Children of '37 Association (@basquechildren) June 12, 2020

We’ll laeve you with the website on this work to remember history at Anglia Ruskin University, which includes reports, photos, and videos, all very interesting, and in many cases, not well known.

Havens East -2020 – Great Britain

Havens East

Havens East uncovers the forgotten stories of Basque child refugees who sought sanctuary in Cambridge and Norfolk during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Using rarely seen film footage and original photographs along with the voices of rescuers and refugees, Havens East helps us to better understand how and why East Anglia was a safe haven for many Basque children during the Spanish conflict.

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BBC -12/6/2020 – Great Britain

Stories of East Anglia’s Basque child refugees revealed

The story of how East Anglia became a safe haven for Basque child refugees of the Spanish Civil War has been revealed online through rarely seen film and photographs.

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