Our Activities
News & Events 2013
Account of the unveiling of the blue plaque at Almondbury, Huddersfield.
Carmen Kilners writes,
"On 29 November 2013 we placed our eighth blue plaque at the Old Clergy House,
Almondbury, Huddersfield. This colony was home to 20 Basque boys from 28th July 1937 to 22nd June 1939."
…
"A Suitable Climate"
Peter O'Brien has informed us that he has brought out a second edition of his book "A Suitable Climate" about Hutton Hall colony in Guisborough.
6 December 2013
na-mara Concert at The Maltings Arts Theatre, St. Albans
This benefit concert was to raise funds for a statue by local sculptor Frank Casey of Tom Watters, the last surviving British veteran of the Spanish Civil War. Tom lived in St Albans after his return from Spain and died last year at the age of 99.
Performing in the concert were local duo na-mara. They were joined by Linda Fryd and other local singers
Information: The Maltings Art Theatre, St. Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 3HL, 01727 844222 www.maltingsartstheatre.co.uk
Biography of Tom WattersFriday 29 November at 2:15 pm
The Basque Children of '37 Association UK & The Huddersfield Local History Society
… presented a Commemorative Plaque for The Old Clergy House, Almondbury.
The plaque was unveiled by Cllr Martyn Bolt, Mayor of Kirklees.
Light refreshments were served in the Wesley Centre, Almondbury.
30 September 2013 at 8:30 pm
"To Say Goodbye"
Izaskun Arandia's film about the Basque Children, had its UK Premiere in London at the London Spanish Film Festival.
For further information, click here.
London Spanish Film Festival ran from 27 September until 9 October and aimed to showcase some of the most exciting Spanish films of the previous year – most of them screened for the first time in the UK. Details here.
Petition campaign to save Madrid memorial
An online petition campaign has been launched by the AABI International Brigades friendship group in Spain to save the memorial to the International Brigades in Madrid's University City.
More information … The Petition …Sunday, 19 May 2013
Lunch to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the arrival of Los Niños Vascos in England
This took place at L’Albufera Restaurant (the same venue as the previous year) in the Melia White House Hotel, Albany Street, Regents Park, London NW1 3UP
14 May to 28th June 2013
The final showing of the exhibition 'Koké Martínez and the Basque Children of '37'
Was shown in Vitoria-Gasteiz at the Pabellón Universitario del Campus Universitario de Alava, Los Apraiz 1
Brochure30 April 2013 at 20:00
Concert with na-mara performing with other groups
Was held in Logroño at the Auditorio of the Ayuntamiento
8 - 30 April 2013
Exhibition of work by José María Martínez Castillo ('Koke') & Posters by BC'37A UK
Was held in San Sebastián at the Centro Carlos Santamaría, plaza Elhuyar, 2.
The exhibition moved to Vitoria-Gasteiz during May.
BrochureSunday April 7th at 22:00 pm
Programme on ITV: Perspectives: Michael Portillo on Picasso
7 - 27 March 2013
Exhibition of work by José María Martínez Castillo ('Koke') & Posters by BC'37A UK
Was held in Bilbao at the Salón Chillida, Bizkaia Aretoa(near the Guggenheim) (Map)
The exhibition moved to San Sebastian during April, and to Vitoria-Gasteiz during May.
BrochureFriday 8th March 2013 at 14.00pm
¡ HABLEMONOS !
King Edward VI Five Ways School, Scotland Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham, B32 4BT
A unique Spanish language, music and drama project by Birmingham Schools, produced by Fiona Cotton, which re-tells the story of the Evacuation of Children from Bilbao during the Spanish Civil War.
This event in Birmingham was a resounding success. Read the na-mara blog entry at: www.na-mara.com/node/288.
Saturday, 16th February 2013
at 12.00pm
Annual General Meeting & Lunch
This was held at:
The Galicia Restaurant,
323 Portobello Road, London W10
(Nearest tube station: Ladbroke Road: Hammersmith and City Line)
Lunch followed at the same venue at 14:00, cost £20 per person.
Agenda & Details Minutes Secretary's Report Treasurer's Report Annual Report & Accounts Association Changes AdoptedOnline Exhibition
Details were published in the last Newsletter of the online exhibition launched by the Imperial War Museum in London.
It is entitled Through My Eyes: Stories of Conflict, Belonging and Identity.
The site is easy to access at www.throughmyeyes.org.uk and, after clicking Historical context then Basque Evacuees, you are able to view newly digitalised photographs and listen to the personal testimonies of four of the niños, who came to Britain in May 1937.
Josefina Stubbs and Carmen Smith (the Antolín sisters), Álvaro Velasco and Herminio Martinéz all give extremely interesting and moving accounts of their experiences.
Anyone who has not visited the site is strongly recommended to do so. Sadly, Álvaro Velasco died recently.