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Cambria
House Journal
Volume 2 Number 1, November 1939
A MESSAGE TO ALL OUR
FRIENDS
This issue of
the Journal is one which marks big changes in the history of
the Basque Children's Movement, and in the circumstances of the
55 children for whom South Wales has been so wonderfully loyal
during the past two years and a half.
Certain sections of the Press have recently made reference to
the changing circumstances of the children, but unfortunately
the statements appearing have been incorrect, and unless
corrected amongst our friends will do considerable harm.
The first change to affect us was when we were compelled to give
way to the Military Authorities and vacate Cambria House for another
building nearby known as Vale View. Cambria House had been a Home
from Home for over two years, and although during that time many
a sad day was experienced, there were too, many happy times which
will live long in the memories of the children and of friends
who joined in and contributed in so many ways towards the happiness
of the Home. But we were obliged to take over Vale View
and were confronted with a serious problem, for the building was
only meant to accommodate approximately 20, and we were 60 with
Staff.
To meet this situation, an appeal was made to friends for
private hospitality for some of the children, and a splendid response
was forthcoming, resulting in 18 children being placed in private
homes. It then appeared that we would be able to settle down comfortably
in the new Home, but we were soon to be disappointed, for after
a fortnight the Military made a request for Vale View, and we
were offered a private house with still more limited accommodation.
Again an appeal was made for private hospitality, and again friends
were ready to respond, and a further 8 children were placed in
various homes. We were now left with some 35 children and adults
to be accommodated at our present address, - 18, Cross Street,
Caerleon, and although we are certainly very much overcrowded,
we are, under the careful management of our Warden, Mrs. Fernandez,
again settling down and endeavouring to make things comfortable
and happy for all through the few weeks, which are left before
the next change.
This will be a change of a different mature, for a number will,
before November is out we think, be compelled to say Goodbye.
The War, with the many difficult problems which it has brought,
has also brought to 25 of the boys and girls, the Call
of Home. These are cases in which parents are living and are now
re-united, and after carefully weighing up the many points for
and against, with the aid of letters from parents, it has been
decided that in these 25 cases it is probably better for them
to return to their parents now, rather than face the uncertainty
of the future in this country, which we must remember is now itself
at war.
And so this November issue of our Journal is for these 25 boys
and girls, their farewell issue to you their friends, and I only
wish it were possible for them each one to express to you the
thanks and appreciation which they feel and so often express in
their conversations in the Home.
South Wales has shown a comradeship and generosity which has been
an inspiration to those of us who have been privileged to know
what has been done, but though when they are at home in their
own country many miles will divide us, the spirit of South Wales
will live in these children, and will, I am sure, help to strengthen
them for the task which lies before them and us, - the building
up of the New Order based on Real Freedom and Justice. They will
go forward bravely to their task, and we must continue with ours.
Twenty-five boys are going home, and although they are going to
a shortage of food, and to generally bad conditions, they are
going to be re-united with their parents, and they are going to
say Goodbye to 30 others for whom the joy of re-union cannot yet
be. These 30 are the children of parents who still languish in
the Fascist Gaols of Spain, or in some cases, are the children
of parents who were in gaol but who have paid the full price of
their loyalty to the cause of Democracy and Freedom. In other
words their parents are in the Refugee Camps in France, and dare
not return to Spain.
Some of these parents are writing to us, desperate appealing letters.
They have read in some of the foreign papers the false reports
which have also appeared in some of our own papers, - reports
to the effect that all children are being sent back, and they
are appealing to us not to let their children go. One such letter
follows this article, so that you may read for yourselves and
imagine the state of mind of this particular parent.
Our need in the future will not be as great as it has been, but
our sources of income are not now so great, and therefore I would
ask your further kind assistance in making known as widely as
possible the fact that 30 children will be remaining under the
care of the South Wales Basque Children's Committee. Need
we remind ourselves that these children and their parents have
suffered and are suffering because a brave attempt was made for
three long years to stem the tide of Fascism in their own dear
country? And many of us believe that had the challenge to freedom
been accepted then; Fascism could have been broken, and a European
conflagration saved. The challenge was not accepted, except by
the Spanish people and the International Brigade. They played
their part bravely and well. Let us continue to do our part for
their 30 children, victims of Fascist aggression who still need
our help.
JACK WILLIAMS
Hon. Secretary.
Note change of address to: 18 Cross Street, Caerleon.
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