Arrangements are being made for the reception of Belgian refugees in Banbury and the surrounding villages. Already, as reported, Lord and Lady North have received a party at Wroxton. Enquiries have been made in Banbury during the past week, and it is possible that further parties will be drafted here, and also to several villages.
We are asked to insert the following letter by Mrs Berkeley, who in a previous issue appealed for help for these unfortunate people.
Hanwell Castle,
Near Banbury
September 21st
Dear Sir,
Will you allow me, through your columns to thank very heartily all those who have so generously responded to my appeal on behalf of the Belgian Food Fund.
Besides distributing the committee’s leaflets (as requested by one of their number) I asked in my own name for donations of 1lb of any kind of foodstuff that could be sent to Belgium, thinking that many people would be willing to give that amount who would not consider it worth packing and sending separately to headquarters.
The response has so far exceeded my expectations, and I have dispatched 350lbs.
Yours faithfully,
Cara Berkeley
Miss F. G. T. Thomas, of Weston Hall, Towcester asks us to insert the following: I have been asked to help in making known what is being done for the immediate relief of the suffering Belgians, as many may wish to assist who have not observed the notice in the London papers. The first shipload has been sent out, but another will soon be following. Gifts of the following will be most acceptable: Flour, salt, sugar (these three articles especially), oatmeal, jam, all kinds of tinned meat, ham (not bacon), condensed milk, biscuits, chocolate, arrowroot and all kinds of farinaceous food. They should be sent, as quickly as possible, to Manager, Belgian Relief, Harrods Warehouse, Trevor Square, S.W. and notice thereof to G. Alexander, Esq., 57 Hans Mansions, by whom gifts of money to purchase food will be gratefully received, if preferred, instead of gifts in kind.
Banbury Guardian, September 1914