[Kizzy]

Well done GREAT Torrington!

Great Torrington (Devon, UK)

The north Devon town of Torrington is called ‘Great’ because of its role in the English Civil War. And it is showing a very different type of reaction to refugee resettlement from the one seen in Eltham.

Great Torrington will now be the temporary home of 70 unaccompanied refugee children from the ‘Calais Jungle‘. They will stay at the country retreat of Beam House. The local authority agreed that this was the most suitable location to house the refugees, with all costs paid by the Home Office. The 70 new arrivals will be among the first contingent to arrive in the UK as a result of the ‘Alf Dubs Amendment‘. The Immigration Act amendment, proposed by Lord Dubs (who as a child was brought to Britain via the Kindertransport scheme) will mean that Britain will accept unaccompanied child refugees even if they have no ties to the UK.

The Daily Telegraph is already stirring up trouble, emphasising only negative comments from a handful of locals. But most locals are not only uncritical. They are actually welcoming the refugees. Indeed, most are proud that their town is one of the first in Britain to offer such accommodation.

The Plough Arts Centre – which is the cultural hub of the town – has offered free film showings to these displaced youngsters. And Great Torrington Mayor Margaret Brown has given her full support to the refugee initiative, saying:

Since the crisis started to evolve, locals have been contacting us asking for a way to help, so we are ready.
Local MP Geoffrey Cox added:

I strongly believe that this country must respond compassionately to the plight of children caught up in the dangerous situation that has been allowed to develop in Calais.

http://www.thecanary.co/2016/10/26/f...-like-opinion/