by Debbie | Jan 27, 2020 | Featured
Actress Debbie Arnold recounts the tragic but poignant story of her Mother Mary Grimanger, and how the
Kindertransport saved her life.
The passport picture of the little girl is my mother’s. It’s stamped with a Nazi Swastika and she is rendered ‘stateless’.
She was 4 years old. Mary was one of the lucky ones as she was brought to the UK on the Kindertransport.
Mary’s passport – Cancelled with the Nazi stamp
Mary’s incredible parents (my grandparents), made the decision to put her on what was to become the very last train to
leave Vienna and that was the last time she ever saw them.
Mary remembers vividly at the age of only 4 being put on the train at the station in Vienna by her Aunt. She recalled
how she had looked around to say goodbye, but her aunt had disappeared out of sight. The Nazis had told all relatives
that if they showed emotion, the children would not be allowed to leave. So Mary’s distraught parents had elected her
aunt to take her as they would not have been able to contain their grief.
Mary arrived in Harwich and was taken in by a British family in London who said they wanted her as a ‘companion’ for
their daughter who was the same age. This wasn’t the case as Mary was used as ‘slave labour’, she was given very little
food and was generally mistreated. She had ended up alone, in a foreign country, not knowing a word of English.
I cannot imagine how that gorgeous little girl from a doting family managed to cope, but she did, and the alternative
would have been far worse.
My beautiful mother Mary was a fighter. She was brave, extremely beautiful and very bright. When the war was over she
was taken to the Beacon in Tunbridge Wells where she met other refugees. That’s when she found out she was Jewish,
she never knew before, and that both parents had been exterminated. She was 10 years old, orphaned and alone. Mary
was told her father had been artist and that’s all she knew about either of her parents.
After leaving the Beacon at 16 she came to London to train to be a beauty therapist and lived in a Jewish hostel.
It was then she was found by her half brother- the son of her father from a previous marriage – who had met her father
in the Ghetto before he was taken to Auchwitz.
Josef was one of the few who managed to escape from the camp. He told her that her father was indeed an ‘artist’
though not the sort she had imagined. He was a comedian and an actor and Josef her brother was also a comedian!
The news was very fitting, as after winning numerous beauty titles in London, Mary had become friendly with one of the
judges of a competition – impressionist Eddie Arnold – who was a huge star at the London Palladium.
Eddie (my father) literally swept Mary off her feet and married her!
Debbie’s grandfather Arnold Griminger
The rest is indeed history as Mary then went on to become one of the UK’s most successful Theatrical Agents, and of
course I myself am enjoying a hugely successful acting career and am an ambassador for many charitable causes.
There have been many success stories of survivors through the Kindertransport who have made a difference to this
Country and indeed the World.
My Mum always said the UK had saved her life and that she was ‘proud to be British’. How could she imagine all these
years later that history is repeating itself. How there are millions of child refugees that are starving to death and we are
no longer helping them.
Debbie with her mother Mary
I normally remain non-political, as does Glotime.tv, but this is no longer a political issue but a humane one and
extremely urgent. In 2016, Lord Alf Dubs, also a Kindertransport child, sponsored an amendment to the Immigration
Act 2016 to offer unaccompanied refugee children safe passage to Britain amidst the European migrant crisis. So far
only 300 children have come to the UK under the scheme and the government said that councils were not able to find
homes for more children than this. Only last week the amendment, which was passed in the Lords earlier in the week
was crushed by the Commons vote. What could be more humane than asking that unaccompanied child refugees
stranded in Europe be able to join relatives in this country? We managed to help 10.000 over 80 years ago why can’t
we help now?
Another innocent child leaves her family behind
We are now putting this to the people, because it is only you who can help overturn the vote. We can only imagine
our own children, through some terrible act of fate, with similar life threatening circumstances.
Here is Debbie talking to Alex Salmond on the ‘Alex Salmond Show’ about her mother Mary and her incredible journey
On International Holocaust Memorial Day, let’s all learn by the past and have empathy for these frightened children.
https://debbiearnold.com/
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by Glotime | Jan 23, 2020 | Featured, GloWellness
Passions run High at the County Register by Tracey Cater
If you have any reservations about dating, Tracey will put you mind to rest as she talks about her confidential and proven approach as a dating Dating Adviser for The County Register, an exclusive introductions agency.
‘In my role as a Membership Adviser, I make sure that there is total transparency and honesty throughout the process, for new clients joining The County Register. Our clients are professional men and women who expect, and deserve, an elite service.’
Tracey speaks with conviction as she describes her unique approach:
‘Previously, I have carried out roles as both a Matchmaker and Matchmaking Manager. Just like the rest of my fellow employees at The County Register, I am absolutely passionate about the personal introductions we provide for our clients. Those who join us are all looking for a long lasting, loving relationship. Many have been through heartbreak and loss of some sort, so our approach to all of our members is one of sensitivity, compassion and professionalism.
Online dating is usually discussed during an initial consultation, as many people have suffered bad experiences. I make it clear that the service we offer is 100% confidential and also that our clients are all ID checked, using a verification system provided by Lexus Nexus.
My attitude towards my role is to guide a client through the joining process, managing their expectations and making sure they have chosen the membership that best suits their needs. I am one of a very hardworking and honest team of people. We all operate with integrity and emotional involvement. I absolutely love my job and I’m incredibly proud to work for The County Register, alongside an amazing group of individuals. With our wide experience of personal matchmaking, we understand the uncertainties you may feel. It may be some years since you were dating; other issues, such as a career or family may have taken priority, or you may have reached the stage where you are ready to share your life with someone – you just haven’t met that person yet. An important part of our service is to advise, counsel and listen to your concerns.
I’d love to speak with if you’d like to find out more about dating with The County Register. Please do call me, for an informal chat on 0800 644 4110 or email: enquiries@thecountyregister.com’
www.thecountyregister.com
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by Glotime | Jan 17, 2020 | Featured, GloWellness
We met Jemimah Fleet, family lawyer from progressive Buckinghamshire Law Firm BP Collins, on her visit to Pinewood Studios recently. Jemimah spoke openly about Surrogacy, the niche area of family law she has grown to love, and the positive impact it has on so many lives.
Jemimah talked about the current legal obstacles within the climate on surrogacy law in the UK (described as ‘unwelcoming’ by Sir James Munby, the former President of the Family Division) and how it is very difficult to find a surrogate, or indeed for surrogates to come forward, due to the various restrictions concerning payments and even offering/advertising to be a surrogate. In contrast, in the USA, there is a more progressive attitude towards surrogacy which has meant that many people from the UK are drawn to go overseas.
But she is hopeful that with the proposed reforms that are presently in motion with the law commission, around the complex issues of surrogacy law, that there may well be light at the end of the tunnel.
Overall Jemimah remains positive and passionate:
‘It is a real privilege to work in this area of law’ say Jemimah ‘and I enjoy navigating the legal obstacles for clients, setting out a clear plan of action and supporting them on their surrogacy journeys.
In relation to the law commission’s current consultation and proposals to reform UK surrogacy law:
‘I absolutely welcome the proposals for regulation and reform and see it as hugely positive. I have seen an increase in the number of clients who are seeking advice on surrogacy, especially internationally, in recent years. The lack of uptake of the surrogacy process in the UK is undoubtedly due to the obstacles and uncertain legal framework that intended parents (and surrogates) currently encounter. One important issue is that the surrogate (as the birth mother) is always considered the legal mother and intended parents can only apply to court for a parental order, to be recognised as their child’s legal parents, once the child is born. This inevitably places the child in a legal limbo and vulnerable position until legal matters are resolved, which can take months.
The Law Commission’s consultation will help to reform the law which is outdated and doesn’t meet the interests and needs of those involved in surrogacy journeys. Importantly, the reform aims to ensure that the child’s welfare remains the key focus, but provides a clearer legal framework and reassurance to all those involved.’
As she touched upon aspects of her work that she was permitted to share, she told us that she has encountered some wonderful surrogates and that they usually have one or more children already, and are committed to the surrogacy journey and rarely stray from their decision to help a couple who cannot conceive. So the obstacles faced were in the law itself.
Jemimah works with single parents, same sex couples, older parents and parents who are unable to conceive naturally for medical reasons, and she feels that in spite of the current legal challenges, it is a privilege to work in a profession that brings joy to so many people.
Contact Jemma on 01753 279045 or email jemimah.fleet@bpcollins.co.uk
https://www.bpcollins.co.uk/
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