When war was declared in 1939 Manchester, like many other cities, moved fast to protect its young living in or near the city centre. Children were uprooted from the security of their homes and re-housed in selected locations in the countryside. One such location was Sudbury, Derbyshire which catered for the children from St Thomas’ School, Ardwick, Manchester. Sixty years later, this event was finally commemorated by the installation of a specially designed window. Commissioned by a small group of evacuees it was presented to the community as an expression of their thanks and gratitude for the protection and affection they experienced during the war years.
Rachel Parker saw this window on a visit to Derbyshire and feels that ‘I was a stranger and you took me in’ is appropriate to share as we mark the anniversary of the Battle of Britain this summer.