2 days ago
Garden unveiled in Windermere to honour Holocaust survivor children
A garden of remembrance has been unveiled to mark 80 years since the arrival of 300 holocaust survivor children.
The Bud and Blossom: Reflection Garden was opened at The Lakes School, in Windermere, to honour the 300 orphaned Jewish children who arrived in the Lake District in 1945 following the liberation of Nazi concentration camps.
The children, later known as the Windermere Children, were resettled on the Calgarth Estate, now the site of The Lakes School.
The garden was officially opened by survivors Arek Hersh MBE, Joanna Millan BEM, Harry Olmer MBE, and Jackie Young (Image: The Lakes School) The garden was officially opened by survivors Arek Hersh MBE, Joanna Millan BEM, Harry Olmer MBE, and Jackie Young, who all came to live on the estate after liberation.
Luke Brown of The Lakes School 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."
Nearly a decade ago, Sir Ben Helfgott, a fellow survivor and Olympic weightlifter, planted a memorial sapling at the school.
The garden honours the 300 orphaned Jewish children who arrived in the Lake District following the liberation of Nazi concentration camps (Image: The Lakes School) That tree now stands as a symbol of growth, remembrance, and the enduring human spirit.
The arrival of the children was made possible by philanthropist Leonard Montefiore, who secured Government approval and funding for the resettlement scheme.
He believed every child deserved the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background.
The garden was designed by Trinity Catholic School and Trinity Humanities, whose concept won gold at BBC Gardeners' World Live earlier this year.
During the ceremony, Mr Brown inducted Arek Hersh MBE as an honorary alumnus of The Lakes School in recognition of his contributions to Holocaust education.
The garden was designed by Trinity Catholic School and Trinity Humanities (Image: The Lakes School) The day continued with a 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 ongoing importance of Holocaust remembrance.
The story of the children was brought to a wider audience through the BBC and Warner Bros. film The Windermere Children, which depicted their journey to rebuild their lives in the Lake District.
The Lakes School says it remains committed to keeping the story of the Windermere Children alive for future generations.
