VIDEO: Worthing war hero still helping to make history
ARE you sitting comfortably? Then let us begin.
Each week, Worthing author Mike Payne, arrives at the home of a High Salvington woman to read her a chapter of his book.
Joan Hennessy played a significant role in the town's humanitarian effort in the 1930s, when she was responsible for helping hundreds of German Jewish people to find places to live.
The pair met when Mike was researching his book on pre-war Worthing, Storm Tide. In the course of his research, he happened to knock on the door of her home in Furze Road, High Salvington.
Fortunately for Mike, Joan has a photographic memory and could recall much of what happened during that time and he spent hours chatting to the 92-year-old to build up a picture of how the town looked then.
Readings
The pair forged a friendship and now his book is complete, Mike visits partially-sighted Joan weekly to read her the book she helped shape.
Mike said: "It was a wonderful discovery to find Joan. She has the advantage of knowing many of the personalities from during that time.
"And we don't just chat about the book, we also chat about our families. The book would have been possible without people like Joan, but it certainly wouldn't have had the human touch."
Joan was one of the first group of women at Worthing Girls High School to learn German.
In the 1930s, she got a job at a domestic agency in Chapel Road, Worthing, and started to translate letters from German people applying for jobs.
It was then that she realised there was a great housing need for Jewish people fleeing persecution from Hitler, and she set about finding them places to stay.
During that period, she helped house hundreds of refugees, including the Basque boys and girls fleeing the civil war in Spain.
Joan, who was then known by her maiden name of Joan Tennant, was a leading-light in the International Friendship League, based at Beach House in Worthing.
Joan said: "As a small girl, my mother took me to the opening of the war memorial and pointed out the names of people she had known.
"I don't know if she deliberately made me dislike war, but I did and I was determined to do anything I could to help with peace."
Humanitarian
Joan was one of a number of women at the time who promoted the humanitarian effort.
She knew Marion Barber, Dorothy Thornycroft and Joan Strange, all of whom worked tirelessly to promote peace in Worthing and feature in a chapter of Mike's book.
It was through hearing these stories that Joan was able to give Mike additional information about the era.
For instance, she told him about Rose Wilmot, who used to open her house to young people who needed somewhere to stay.
According to Joan's daughter Terri, Mike has become a part of the family and Mike said even when he has finished reading his book to Joan, the pair will remain good friends.
Joan added: "I don't get on very well with audio books, so I really look forward to Mike's visits. I have enjoyed telling him what I remember."
Storm Tide is available to buy in Methven's, South Street, Worthing, as well as Kim's Bookshop in Arundel, Steyning Bookshop and Edlow's in Rustington.
Mike has started work on his next book, focusing on Worthing during the second world war.
Anyone with memories of the time can contact him on 01903 505384 or email em.payne@btinternet.com.
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 10 C
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