On track from Lowestoft to Glossop

A new book telling the story of the 3,000 children and their teachers who fled Lowestoft to escape Second World War bombing raids includes some of the young evacuees’ experiences in Glossop.

Around 600 of them arrived by train at the Norfolk Street station, most of them taken in and looked after by Glossop people, the rest were given a home in other parts of the High Peak.

The book called ‘A Long Way From Home’, was launched on Monday at Lowestoft Railway Station, where the race to safety began, by the Lowestoft Evacuees’ Association.

Lovingly compiled by Clive Capps and Sandra Delf, it provides a fascinating insight into the experiences of 40 of the evacuees.

Evacuee Ivan Barber’s account is called ‘No Beach, or Sea, in Glossop.’

The friendships and links forged between Glossop and Lowestoft all those years ago are still being maintained and the Chronicle has featured the annual visits by some of the refugees to Glossop.

The coronavirus pandemic meant that this year it was not possible, but plans are already being made for next year.

The pandemic also meant the launch was not the big occasion that had originally been organised, but books were sold, experiences  hared and memories of that Great Escape’ were recalled.