I work with a wonderful group of Guernsey evacuees (aged between 72 and 90) in Northern England. We have formed a community group and meet up to share wartime memories and to strengthen friendships. I share my research, writing and event organisation skills with them; together we share and record their wartime memories, and are arranging a number of community based events. We initially received grants from UNLtd, and the Manchester Community Foundation, but now rely on public donations to continue our work, and profits from the sales of our booklets and DVDs.
You can purchase our limited edition ‘Guernsey Evacuation’ Booklet, or our Channel Islands Evacuation DVD from my Shop: http://guernseyevacuees.wordpress.com/channel-islands-calendar-2011/
OR email me: gillianmawson@btinternet.com
If you would like to receive updates on our work, please contact me at gillianmawson@btinternet.com. We also enjoy participating in Wartime themed events so do invite us! (more information at foot of this page)
WE ARE TAKING PART IN BURY TRANSPORT MUSEUM’S ‘BURY WORLD WAR TWO WEEKEND’ ON SUNDAY 3 JUNE 2012 in the Education Suite.
Come and meet the evacuees and chat to them about their wartime experiences between 10.30 and 12 noon, and between 1.30pm and 3pm. Children can peep inside a Guernsey evacuee’s suitcase, and write their own Red Cross letter home. DVDs and booklets will also be on sale.
Our Channel Island film will be screened between 12 noon and 1.30pm.
For details of how to find the Transport Museum, click on: http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/whats-on/1940s-wartime-weekend-2012/
MANCHESTER HISTORIES FESTIVAL, MANCHESTER TOWN HALL
SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2012, 1 – 2pm
We met visitors at this event, and screened our film ‘All my Worldly Possesions Channel Island Evacuees in Bury and Tottington during World War Two’
In addition, our community group and volunteers won the Festival’s Highly Commended Community Award on 2 March. We are delighted!
more at:
http://www.manchesterhistoriesfestival.org.uk/getinvolved/community-history-awards
8th February 2012, 7.45pm
I am giving a talk to the Cheshire Local History Association in Wilmslow, see their website at:
http://cheshirehistory.org.uk/wilmslow-hs.html
(There is a small admission charge for Non-members)
To pre order my book:
‘Guernsey Evacuees: The Forgotten Evacuees of the Second World War’ go to:
http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?lt1=_top&bc1=FFFFFF&IS1=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=guerevacoralh-21&o=2&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=tf_til&asins=0752470191
THANK YOU TO THE 300 PEOPLE WHO CAME TO OUR STOCKPORT EVENT. YOU CAN WATCH BBC GUERNSEY’S NEWS REPORT AT THIS LINK:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-15536660
SUNDAY 30 OCTOBER 1pm – 4pm
Stockport War Memorial and Art Gallery, Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK3 8AB
“We’ll Meet Again” - Meet the Guernsey evacuees who fled their island in June 1940, and found safety in Northern England. An interactive event for all the family. Admission free
Activities for all ages:
Watch our film screenings, meet the Guernsey evacuees to hear their stories, and see their wartime documents and photographs,
Listen to Britain’s best George Formby lookalike singer,
Peep inside a Guernsey evacuee’s suitcase;
Children can take part in a ‘Guernsey Evacuation Ship’ activity, and write a Red Cross message
Share your own wartime memories with Stockport Heritage Trust, over free tea and coffee!
Stockport War Memorial & Art Gallery: 0161 474 4453
Website (for location, directions, public transport, car parking etc):
http://www.stockport.gov.uk/services/leisureculture/culture/stockportartgallery/?view=Standard
Or click on:
http://www.stockporttownhall.org.uk/images/Town_Hall_Access_Map.pdf
For all other enquiries contact Evacuee Researcher Gillian Mawson, gillianmawson@btinternet.com
This event is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science and is fully funded by the ERSC
My community group of Guernsey evacuees grew out of the evacuee reunion that took place in Stockport and Bury in June 2010, the 70th Anniversary of the Evacuation. We aim to record these evacuation stories for future generations in several ways. We also arrange events so that people can meet the evacuees to learn about the evacuation, and view personal wartime possessions.
Our group received a social enterprise grant from UnLtd in January 2011. Any donations to enable us to continue to run our group would be very gratefully received. 
For more information, email gillianmawson@btinternet.com
Come along to our event at Peoples History Museum, Manchester
“Meet the Past”: an evacuee storytelling event
Saturday 27th August – 1pm -3pm
A unique opportunity to meet and talk to real World War 2 evacuees who came from the Island of Guernsey to the North West. This special event includes a hands on activity for all ages where you can look through a child evacuee’s suitcase from the period. In addition you can take a look at original documents and watch a short film before meeting the Guernsey evacuees. You will have the chance to hear their stories, ask questions and see their own photographs from the time. An exciting and original occasion for everyone, this one off experience is a must for anyone interested in the social history of the period, local history and wartime memories.
Film showing 1pm – booking advised 0161 838 9190 or email info@phm.org.uk
Meet the evacuees at 1.45pm
See the Museum website at www.phm.org.uk
Free
My mother Dulcie Ogier and her sister Yvonne were two young children evacuated from Guernsey with their school.
They were fostered in (Rose Cottage) Nantwich as well as Jubilee villas, Malkins Bank, Hassall, Sandbach.
My mom has passed away and her younger sister Yvonne is dealing with cancer. I would dearly love to learn about their life in England and find anyone that remembers these two young girls as I would like to do a story about their lives. Thank you.
#WW2 Guernsey Evacuee Event: BBC iplayer radio coverage at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00l47r3 until 6 Nov – fast forward 1 hour 8 minutes into the prog! Gill
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My grandparents are from Guernsey, and my granny got evacuated when she was pregnant with my mum. As a result, mum was born in Stockport – but spent what was, by all accounts, a brilliant childhood in Guernsey. I am definitely going to buy her this book. My granddad recently died and I posted a picture of him outside what looks like a pub in Guernsey (this was a great joke as he was a tee total Salvation Army Officer). Does anyone know where in Guernsey this pub is (a long shot I know): http://commandodad.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/heaven-cant-wait/
Hi your blog is great, and thanks for sending me your comment about my research.
I have just circulated the picture of your Grandad on Twitter, so hopefully someone will recognise the buildingin Guernsey! I would love to know more about your Gran’s stay in Stockport, what was her family name? I may have archive docs that relate to her. email me at gillianmawson@btinternet.com if you prefer. Gill
Thank you! I will definitely email you all I know, which unfortunately is little. I can’t tell you what it would mean to my mum if you found out details of granny Olive. She died very young, you see.Thank you again – and for tweeting the pic of granddad. Chirree!