Heritage Open Days: The Van Lier Family at the Grand Hotel

In this talk as part of Towner's Heritage Open Days, Helen Warren (Family Roots) will explore the poignant history of the Van Lier Family.  

Simon Van Lier was the leader of the resident orchestra at the Grand Hotel and his wife Flora Manheim played the viola. Flora, a fascinating and modern woman, had previously formed an all-women viola band before she married Simon.  Flora and her daughters moved to Amsterdam in the 1930s and, being Jewish, were later captured under the Nazi regime and Flora sadly perished. Helen researched Flora and her daughter Beatrice as part of Wayfinder Woman’s ‘Women of Eastbourne’ project.  

Heritage Open Days is an annual celebration of England's history and culture that allows visitors free access to heritage sites and community events that are either not usually open to the public, would normally charge an entrance fee, or that are putting on something special for the festival.