Tracey Poulter

In 1925, a schoolteacher in southern Germany read a book by Adolf Hitler. She read it carefully. Every word. And when she closed the book, Anna Essinger understood what most people would only realize years later: this was not just political promises. It was a plan. And if it were allowed to be carried out, there would be no safe place left in Germany for her students. She remembered this—and continued teaching. Anna was born in Ulm in 1879 into a secular Jewish family. In her twenties, she went to study in Nashville, where she encountered the Quakers—their values deeply influenced her life. In 1919, she returned to Germany on a humanitarian mission, helping children after World War I. In 1926, together with her sisters, she founded a boarding school in Herrlingen—a place where freedom of thought and respect for every child were central. When major political changes came in 1933, Anna was ready. In April 1933, schools were ordered to display a state symbol in honor of the leader’s birthday. Anna arranged a three-day trip for her students. When the school stood empty, she complied with the requirement. “A symbol cannot influence people on an empty building,” she said. Then came action. She found a way to relocate the school to England—to an old building called Bunce Court in Kent. Anna spoke with the parents. She was honest: their children would be safe, but returning could not be guaranteed. Almost all agreed. On October 5, 1933, the journey began. The children left in groups. Parents said goodbye quietly, trying not to attract attention. All arrived safely. Sixty-six children were now out of danger. The school reopened the very next day. Conditions were difficult, but together they built a new life—learning, working, supporting one another. Over time, the school became a refuge for children who had lost the chance to study, and for those who arrived in Europe without families. After the events of 1938, even more children came, and Anna tried to help everyone she could. In 1940, the school had to be urgently relocated again due to the war. Anna understood that many children had stopped receiving news from their parents. She knew why—but did not want to prematurely destroy their sense of safety. After the war, children who had endured terrible hardships began arriving. At Bunce Court, they learned again what it meant to feel safe. The school closed in 1948. Over her lifetime, Anna helped more than 900 children. She did not seek recognition. But for them, she became home. She died in England in 1960. Her former students continued to gather for many years. They said it was the only place where they truly felt safe. It all began because one woman read a book—and chose to prepare.

Our Raffle is shaping up nicely Many thanks to @RiponRaces for donating 2 paddock enclosure tickets for "Yorkshire's Garden Racecourse" Would you like to provide a prize or sponsor the festival? email: cliffordbeerfest@gmail.com website: cliffordbeerfestival.co.uk Cheers! 🍻

🚨 #GIVEAWAY 🚨 It’s my birthday tomorrow so sounds like a perfect time for a #giveaway! And a double one at that - win a copy of #TheMidnightKing & #AColdWhisper! To enter: ⭐️Follow me ⭐️Like ⭐️Retweet 🤞Good Luck! (UK only, ends 25/3. T&C’s in🧵) #BookTwitter

FREE GARDEN MAKEOVER £200 worth of Soil £200 worth of Compost £200 worth of Bark £200 worth of Plants Delivered nationwide. Celebrating 200 years of dandys.com - Your Garden Delivered. Simply 1. FOLLOW 2. LIKE 3. SHARE to enter! 💚💚 Winner announced Good Friday 12 noon.

All my work on Donald J Trump’s illegal war gets throttled on X. If you feel like annoying Elon Musk and the President of the US, please do share it. Thank you 🙏🏽

please get a library card even if you won’t use it because cities will look at library statistics and use that to decide to keep libraries open and properly funded

Bob Mueller was one of the finest directors in the history of the FBI, transforming the bureau after 9/11 and saving countless lives. But it was his relentless commitment to the rule of law and his unwavering belief in our bedrock values that made him one of the most respected public servants of our time. Michelle and I send our condolences to Bob’s family, and everyone who knew and admired him.

@LUFC @premierleague - perhaps a new rule for when goalkeepers are having treatment. All players to remain on pitch - perhaps in centre circle or in their respective goal areas?

70’ Becoming a common occurrence this season, as Kelleher goes down needing treatment after Leeds make substitutions. Looks like he’ll now be fine to continue after the Brentford players check in with their manager. 0-0

Let's celebrate Spring with 5 x £20 Tokens up for grabs to spend in local bookshops or online. Maybe one you’ve spotted in the NEW issue of #WRDmag? (FREE to read online - weblink in bio) For the chance to treat yourself to a FAB new book or two… RT & Flw by Mar 27 #WRDMagComp #NationalYearOfReading2026

@EventHotelsLtd Say you, say me

🏰Heritage Live – Lionel Richie, plus special guests at the Royal Sandringham Estate this Summer. Want to be there on us ? Tell us your favourite Lionel track for a chance to win 2 tickets ! Tickets on sale Friday (27 March) at 9am from tidd.ly/3Nt84Lz

Giving away a copy of my book the lost Magdalene girl and a hatching Yoshi egg. To enter like and retweet this post. Deadline for entries 2nd April 2026 3pm #competition #giveaway #booktwitter #mario #win

@cliffordbeerfst @TweetYorkshire @Go_Yorkshire @letsgoyorkshire @Yorkshiredays @HelloYorkshire #beer #festival #yorkshire #charity

Clifford Champion Beer Festival Saturday 27th June 2026 Book your barrel sponsorship from only £80 Includes programme advert, social media & website coverage as well as free festival passes Interested? Get in touch at: cliffordbeerfestival.co.uk Cheers! 🍻

@socraticjuan We miss him @LUFC

Raphinha is probably the best forward signing that this club has ever made since Suarez, especially when you consider his cost and how efficient/dynamic that he is.

Want to win a proof copy of my debut novel The Lightning, and read it before it publishes on 28th May 2026? Of course you do! 😊 To enter: 1. Follow me. 2. Like and repost. Closes 27.03.26 at midday. 1 x proof available. Winner chosen at random. GO! #Win #Competition #LoveBooks

In 1607, a girl was born in Cologne with the kind of mind that did not fit the mold laid out for her. Her name was Anna van Schurman. And the path expected of her was a narrow one. Stay quiet. Marry well. Keep your thoughts to yourself. She didn’t. By the time she was three, Anna was reading. By eleven, she was quoting Seneca in Latin. That was just the start. She went on to learn Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic. She studied philosophy, astronomy, theology, and law. She painted with the skill of a master. Wrote poetry. Carved cameos. There wasn’t a subject she didn’t try to master. And when her family moved to Utrecht, the university took notice. But there was a problem. Women weren’t allowed in. So they made a compromise. She could attend, but only if she sat behind a curtain. Out of sight. The professors were worried the boys might get distracted by a girl with books. Anna agreed. She sat in silence. Took it all in. Then wrote a dissertation in flawless Latin arguing that women had the same intellectual capacity as men and should be educated in the same way. It landed like a thunderclap. Philosophers read it. Clerics debated it. Even Descartes paid attention. She became known as the Star of Utrecht. She published essays. Sent letters across Europe. Joined the conversation normally reserved for men with titles and power. And she did it all without raising her voice. Later in life, she walked away from the fame. She joined a religious group that treated women as equals. Critics called her foolish. She called it freedom. She didn’t start a revolution. She didn’t lead a protest. But her words did something else. They stayed. Anna van Schurman lit a fire with ink and parchment. And centuries later, it’s still burning. #archaeohistories

As many of you know, I'm taking a break to recover my wellness. Doctor's orders. But I'd never leave you without a few words for the beginning of Spring. Keep making beauty & truth. Even—especially when you can't find a reason. I'll be back. xoxo.

@allotmentonline @WooWooWaterless @2Shelley09

NEW COMPETITION! Enter for the chance to WIN a Bird Box and Insect House from @WooWooWaterless ! Please follow, tag, RT and enter on the link: allotmentonline.co.uk/win-a-bird-box #win #competition #giveaway