Month: December 2015

EDP NORFOLK MAGAZINE PROMOTES ESCAPING HITLER

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The January edition of the glossy EDP Norfolk Magazine is now available, with a full page article on page 40 promoting Escaping Hitler in advance of publication later this month. I am grateful to journalist Rowan Mantell for a sensitive and enthusiastic report.  I was very excited to find a full page photo of myself opposite the piece, much to the amusement of other shoppers in the supermarket!!  Not long now before I will be setting up an online store from this website where you can place an order for my debut biography. Keep a look out for it!

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Norwich Civic Christmas Tree 1977

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On this weekend before Christmas I offer you this photograph from December 1977.  One of Joe Stirling’s projects, two years following his time as Sheriff of Norwich, was NOAH, the Norwich Organisation for Active Help.  At Christmas 1977 he was chairman of NOAH and can be seen on the very far right of the photograph in the spectacles.  The Lord Mayor of Norwich Ralph Roe (centre) is presenting a cheque to the president of NOAH, Jessie Griffiths, who had served as  Lord Mayor in 1969-70. The money was donated to NOAH from the Queen’s Silver Jubilee appeal and this magnificent civic Christmas tree is stood outside Norwich City Council.  My thanks to Voluntary Norfolk for the photograph.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY FOLLOWERS.  Not long now until publication of Escaping Hitler: A Jewish Boy’s Quest for Freedom and His Future, the official biography of Joe Stirling.

 

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Jarrold’s Events Page featuring Escaping Hitler Launch

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The website events page of Jarrold Department Store in Norwich has just been updated – I appear as top billing above both Ruby Wax and Father Christmas!  Who would have thought it!  Details of this launch for Escaping Hitler can be found at http://www.jarrold.co.uk/events-diary/events-list but sadly the store is still having technical difficulties with online ticket sales.  As soon as they are rectified I will get back on the blog and let you know.  Tickets can, however, be bought at Customer Services, Floor 2 of the city centre store.  I feel nearly famous!!!

Anniversary of first Kindertransport into Harwich

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Günter’s Child passport for the Kindertransport with Nazi stamps

Today, 2nd December 2015 is the 77th anniversary of the first Kindertransport train to arrival at Harwich laden with desperate and frightened Jewish children, seeking sanctuary from the tyranny and anti-Semitism of the Nazi regime. The train was from Berlin. In the following July 14 year old Günter Stern left his parents behind in the Rhineland, travelling to Harwich, destined for freedom and a future. Two years ago, during the 75th anniversary commemorations of this incredible rescue project we took 89 year old Joe Stirling (born Günter Stern) back to Harwich to witness an amazing performance of Suitcase 38, on the very platforms where he had first stepped on British soil.  We witnessed this man relive a momentous part of his life through the words and actions of young writers and actors.  His story will be told in my debut biography, Escaping Hitler, to be published by Pen and Sword during January 2016.  Signed copies, both by Joe and me, will be available to buy direct from this blog from end January.

Joe Stirling and Cast of Suitcase Press
Joe meets the cast after the show.

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Joe sits on platform at Harwich watching his younger self with his one suitcase.