For our March meeting, after Communion the Revd Wim Zwalk gave a very inspiring talk about his family history from the twentieth century onwards. This covered the dangerous years of the rise of Nazism in Germany and more importantly in Holland, which is where most of Wim’s family were. Nearly eighty members of his family were murdered during the early years of occupation. Bravely some members survived and managed to escape to relative safety. These included Wim’s father who managed to travel with a few others on a Dutch trawler to land in Great Yarmouth. This escape was on 6th April 1942.
Wim spoke of his surname since it was very unusual to find many who carried this. After some research there were only eight males to be found with the name of Zwalf. Some wonderful old photographs were displayed which enabled us to share their value with Wim. It was clear to the MU members that it was important to keep this history from one generation to the next.
Helen gave the vote of thanks for the moving personal history described by Wim.
The April MU monthly meeting will be in the Church Hall at 2.15pm, when Robin Robson (MU Member) will talk about the ‘Life of a Reader.’