At the last meeting it was unanimously decided to accept a sum of compensation amounting to �590 offered with a full apology and explanation by the Norfolk coach firm which failed to run a coach to London for the group in time to attend the special event at St Paul's Cathedral marking the 70th anniversary of the initial evacuation of the second world war on September 1.

At the last meeting it was unanimously decided to accept a sum of compensation amounting to �590 offered with a full apology and explanation by the Norfolk coach firm which failed to run a coach to London for the group in time to attend the special event at St Paul's Cathedral marking the 70th anniversary of the initial evacuation of the second world war on September 1. The amount covered all extra personal travel expenses of 13 of the party of 43 who did manage to attend the event by independent means of travel and the personal financial loss of ticket money incurred by the remaining 30 in the party who could not attempt the long journey at such short notice. In accepting the offer, it was realised by all concerned, that in no way could any sum of money fully make up for the actual deep disappointment and frustration felt by the evacuees when they found out they were not after all going to celebrate this major event they were really looking forward to over the past year of planning. Now this sorry episode has receded, the committee met recently to further their plans for the 70th year of the Lowestoft schools evacuation, the prelude to which is the winter gathering of all ex-evacuees, whether from Lowestoft or elsewhere, to be held at 10.30 for 11am on Saturday, December 5 at the Stella Maris Hall, Gordon Road, when pictures of this year's events can be seen and plans for 2010 presented.