Escape to Gwrych Castle: A Jewish Refugee Story by Andrew Hesketh

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The often-overlooked history of the German-Jewish refugee children of Gwrych Castle.

In 1939, several German Jewish refugee children, traveling on the Kindertransport, found themselves in Abergele, North Wales. Would this be their temporary new home? Gwrych Castle, where a Hachshara was being set up, was a residential “training center” aimed at preparing the Jewish children for life on a kibbutz in Israel, where they hoped to be reunited with their families. In this intriguing debut, Andrew Hesketh explores the lesser-told history of the children who lived in this North Wales castle, bringing together their personal memories and experiences to create a unique picture of their lives. He also explores the history of the building itself, from its origins in the nineteenth century up to its use in the reality television series I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! in 2020.

Year first published: 2023

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