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‘Your Kindness and Hospitality’

19.6.1945 Woolsery seat1

19.6.1945 Woolsery seat2

On the village green at Woolsery, in front of the church, stands a handsome new oak seat. This seat is to be inscribed ‘This seat was given by the children evacuated from the blitzed areas to the people of Woolsery in appreciated of their kindness and hospitality 1940-45’

With the sunshine smiling down and in the presence of a delightful rural community gathering, the seat was unveiled and dedicated by the Dean Rural, Preb, I L Gregory (Vicar of Hartland).

‘This is a unique occasion for Woolsery’ said Mr C B Griffiths (headmaster of Woolsery School and Parish Billeting Officer), opening the proceedings after introductory prayers. He conveyed apologies for absence from Messrs J C Hilton, C T Braddick, and the Rev E L Lewis.

Looking back, he thought they had been very fortunate in the children they had had evacuated to them. It had been a great experience for each of them, and when the evacuees were young men and women it was hoped they would return to Devon, to Woolsery, and revisit their foster parents.

Some time ago the evacuees had raised money to provide an oak seat and cherry trees for the people of Woolsery. The trees had been ordered, the oak seat was complete, and it was a work of art, done by a local craftsman, Mr W E Brent. Mr Griffiths, on behalf of the evacuated children, then presented the seat to the Parish of Woolsery, asking the Parish Council to accept it.

Mr W H Harding, Chairman of the Parish Council, accepted on that body’s behalf, and welcomed the very fine gesture. On behalf of the evacuees taking refuge in the parish during the last five years, Mrs Clutterbuck thanked the people of Woolsery for the great, kindly service they had rendered.

On behalf of the Rural District Evacuation Authority, Mrs I E Halford associated herself with the expressions of goodwill. To conclude the open-air ceremony, the school children, including a number of evacuees, sang national songs of the Allies, Mr Griffiths being at the piano. The VE tea followed.

Mrs Piper, canteen cook, assisted by members of the School Fund Committee and WVS supervised, and Mrs John Andrew, who is a school manager, was convener for the public tea.

Full Gazette article dated 19 June 1945

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