In his conference speech Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron mentioned the connection he has 'on his patch' with the child Holocaust Survivors who came to the Lake District directly from the concentration camps in 1945.

The 70th anniversary gathering of their arrival in the Lakes was held in Windermere just over a month ago and saw a large group of these boys and girls return to Windermere with their families. They were greeted by many local people, and many who had travelled from Newcastle, Manchester, London and other places throughout the UK.

The emotion of the gathering was immense with sadness mixed with joy. These were children who had survived unimaginable horror and here they were, 70 years later, back to the place where their lives in this country began.

It is a different world now but the human quality for compassion is needed now as much as ever.

No-one knew what the future held for these children in 1945 but they have given back to this country far more than they have ever taken, and their children and grandchildren are a credit to them.

Trevor Avery

Director, Lake District Holocaust Project

Windermere