The Early Pestalozzi Children Project received a valuable surprise recently which resulted in making a presentation about the Project to a seminar in Hastings on 8th October. The event, titled “Not 1066 and all that – radical histories in Hastings and St Leonards” was a showcase for a variety of local community history studies; demonstrating how it’s being done and inspiring others to have a go for themselves.

An enquiry to organiser, Dr Hilda Kean, about the possibility of us attending, resulted in an invitation to tell our own story! Dr Kean, a public and cultural historian, had organised a group of engaging local speakers, some of whom spoke of fascinating research which took them far beyond the bounds of Hastings and the UK.

Our own presentation was very well received and we also encountered people who recollected visiting the Pestalozzi Children’s Village nearly half a century ago. It was pleasing to hear the emotional recollection of those memories. Additionally, we have made new and valuable contacts in the Hastings area.

Our thanks go to organisers  Hilda Kean and Dee Daly for making us welcome.

We are grateful for the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Sharing Heritage grant which, among other things, enables us to travel and spread the early Pestalozzi story.