Bolton Basque Children's Colony

Bolton Colony - 4

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A group of girls came down the path. "Where are you going?" "A buscarme un novio (to find a boy friend) laughed back one of them.
Later as they were sitting on the lawn in a group with some English boys. In spite of their youth the girls were looking straight at the boys and appraising them in an open fashion which was having its effect on the boys. They became loud-voiced and tried to draw the attention of the girls, definitely becoming worked up over the whole unusual situation. The Spanish children had been talking about the boys, not aware at first that there was someone who understood them. On learning that they went giggly and begged the Observer not to translate their remarks. There were innocent in themselves but full of meaning in that they discussed the physical qualities, the appearance and the behaviour of these boys - of one in especially who was more raucous than the rest.

Bolton Basque Children's Colony

A picture of the manor house is sought to be added here. If you have a picture, please let us know, so we can make a copy.

The manor house of the Bolton colony.

10th June, 1937

Help us to find somebody who was sent to Bolton who could help us with information.

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Having just arrived, the girls are given a doll.

Bolton Trade Union Trade Council asking branch's for financial support for the Bolton colony.

(For a large picture click here)

A few months of being opened, the staff began to notice, that crookery and cutlery were disappearing from day to day.

The staff believed it to be the children, so they began to search the bedrooms, once the children had vacated the rooms.

The missing items were found in almost all of the children's suitcases, which were keep under their beds.

When the children were asked whey had they taken the items, they said that '...since they would be going back home to Bilbao soon, they took the items as presents for their mothers'.

Article based on a conversation with Feliciana Martinez,2002.

The missing
crookery
and cutlery

During the discussion at the committee meeting there was a remarkable lack of coordination. The older Spanish girls were explaining to their sole effective link with the English staff, the 13 year old half Spanish girl, the food system of the children and how they were accustomed to eat. This was translated and Mrs Peel answered, with a pleased smirk at her repartee, "It doesn't matter what they're accustomed to, it's what they'll get!" The Spanish girls are not consulted as to the requirements of the children but they are given indefinite instructions as the English staff may think fit.
The children themselves are not amenable to discipline, partly because of their natural character and partly because there is no one capable of effectively imposing it.

Hand written as part of the MASS-OBSERVATION on 10 June 1937 by an unknown Observer.

The children seemed more settled down in their digs today. There were one or two more cases which had to be kept in bed--the rest were scattered through the house and groups. Many of the girls stayed indoors. They had received bundles of knitting needles and wool and many of those indoors were busy rolling the wool and knitting. The children were much more co-operative than English children - and less inclined to bicker or shout at each other. When the Observer gave the presents to the children in room 25, which he had promised the day before the two children who had asked for dolls both wanted the same one. On the matter being put to lot the result was accepted philosophically. The others with the crayons and drawing books settled down gayly to colour in the figures sketched in the book.

Hand written as part of the MASS-OBSERVATION on 11 June 1937 by an unknown Observer.

11th June, 1937

The children seemed more settled down in their digs today. There were one or two more cases which had to be kept in bed - the rest were scattered through the house and grounds. Many of the girls stayed indoors. They had received bundles of knitting needles and wool and many of those indoors were busy rollong the wool and knitting. The children were much more co-operative than English children - and less inclined to bicker or shout at each other. When the Observer gave them presents to the children in room 26, which he had promised the day before the two children who had asked for dolls both wanted the same one. On the matter being put to lot the result was accepted philosophically. The

others with the crayons and drawing books settled down gayly to colour in the fugures sketched in the book.
The Observer was able to retire into the window recess for a quarter of an hour to listen to their chatting. This was quite normal expressions of pleasure with the new toys - comparisons in the differenet books etc. Suddenly one of the girls - the unlucky one in the doll lottery run over to the observer and stroked his hair - "Que bueno es esta Senor!" - "What a nice man this is." she said, then blushed and ran off. One child showed a small handkerchief that she had been given and proudly explained that it was all hers.
In another room two girls were winding wool (ages about 8 + 8.5) there was also a very rowdy small boy with a ball. One of the girls turned to the observer and with a strug of her shoulders "Ese crio me pone loco" - That lad's driving me crazy...
Hand written from an Observer 11 June 1937.

...at the committee meeting there was a remarkable lack of coordination. The older Spanish girls were explaining to ...the English staff...how they were accustomed to eat. ...Mrs Peel answered..."It doesn't matter what they're accustomed to, it's what they'll get!"

Hand written as part of the
MASS-OBSERVATION on 10 June 1937.

Many fund raising activities were undertaken to provide much needed money to care for the Basque children whilst in Britain. The pamphlet shows just one of the many Concerts held throughout Britain. In this case, the Concert was for the benefit of those at Watermillock colony, just outside Bolton.