Tag: Kindertransport

Happy 98th Birthday to Joe

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If Joe Stirling had not passed away in 2020, he would have been celebrating his 98th birthday today. I remember so many birthdays – visiting his home in Norwich to find stacks of brightly coloured greetings cards from friends around the world, and wrapped parcels from his many loving family members. He was known to be a chocoholic so there were always boxes of these sitting on the coffee table. I miss him every day and always enjoy giving “his talk” to groups around Norfolk, sharing tales of his childhood in Nazi Germany, his freedom walk through Europe and his achievements in later life, so many recorded in my biography Escaping Hitler (Pen and Sword Books 2016). Joe was a very special man and I was fortunate to find him when I did. I owe my ongoing writing and public speaking careers to his generosity, amazing memory and zest for life. Thank you Joe and Happy Birthday….

Photo taken at Joe’s 90th Birthday party at the Assembly House in Norwich, 18th October 2014

Holocaust Memorial Day 2021

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Today, 27th January 2021, is Holocaust Memorial Day. How well I remember the many occasions when my husband and I would enter Peter Mancroft Church in Norwich, to see rows of people, many dressed in black, waiting for the special annual service to begin. Always in the front rows, amongst the dignitaries, was Joe Stirling, Norwich’s very own Kindertransport boy. Knowing Joe’s story as well as I did, I could imagine his parents, their life in the rural Rhineland village of Nickenich, their horrific experience of Kristalnacht, and the journey they took to their deaths in Sobibor Death Camp. It was always a sobering morning. But this year, of course, there will be service. Joe died last February but there will be no public recognition of his absence at the service. So today I will silently think about Joe and his parents, Alfred and Ida, just two of so many who were murdered by the Nazis.

Joe Stirling Obituary in The Guardian

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Written by Norwich writer Tom Carver, this moving tribute to our very own Joe appeared yesterday, 27th March 2020,  on the Guardian Online ‘Other Lives’ feature. I am grateful to Tom and to the Guardian team who put this piece together, allowing even more people to appreciate the remarkable life of this amazing man.

Joe is much missed by family, friends and former colleagues but his story remains relevant, inspiring and poignant in these difficult times.

Keep safe and well everyone.  We will beat this.

https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2020/mar/27/joe-stirling-obituary

The piece continues so it is well worth clicking on the link.

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REVIEW OF 2019 Presentations about Escaping Hitler & Lady Lord Mayors

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On Thursday last, 21st November I gave my final talk of 2019, sharing stories from the remarkable life of Joe Stirling with the members of Horsham St Faith’s Ladies’ Group.  It was a splendid evening in the historic Mission Hall and the ladies were generous in buying copies as Christmas presents.

Having just reviewed the success of 2019, I can reveal the following statistics for the year:

55 talks in total around Norfolk (Many to members of Women’s Institutes)

24 concerning Escaping Hitler (Pen and Sword Books 2016)

28 about my second book, The Lady Lord Mayors of Norwich 1923-2017 (Pen and Sword Books 2018)

2 ‘When the Past Collides with the Present’, covering research findings from writing both books.

Total Sales following talks:

114 Escaping Hitler

98 Lady Lord Mayors

This is remarkable and looking forward I can report that I currently have 37 talks in the diary for 2020, and 5 for 2021!  I am so grateful for the continuing interest in both my books and for the many evenings and afternoons spent in community halls, church halls and hotel dining rooms over this past year.  My highlights must include speaking at the Time and Tide Museum and the Royal Assembly Rooms, both in Great Yarmouth,  Norwich Castle Museum, the Noverre Suite at the Assembly House in Norwich, Fakenham Racecourse and How Hill near Ludham. Always good company, sometimes tea & cake (or even lunch!) and always a great reaction!  And my thanks go to my followers on WordPress and Facebook for their loyalty and interest.  MAY I WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON. Phyllida Scrivens, Norwich, UK.

Happy Birthday Günter/Joe!

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Today, 18th October 2018, Joe Stirling (born Günter Stern), the subject of my biography Escaping Hitler, is 94 years old.  I called in to his home in the Unthank Road Norwich this morning to give him his card and found to my delight that he had visitors – his nephew Paul Skitmore and his wife Sarah. (Paul features in the book as a child)  Joe, although tired, was on top form.  Tonight, instead of accompanying me to speak about his life to the good ladies of Thorpe End W.I. in Norwich, he will be dining out in the city with members of his close family.  I wish him a happy birthday evening.

Joe and me with his birthday cards!

Reminder of the Come Yew In performance in Norwich Summer 2016

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With the sun shining in Norwich, England, I am reminded of the wonderful summer’s afternoon I spent in the Norwich Castle Gardens in 2016, watching an energetic and inspiring performance of the unique community play ‘Come Yew In’.  Within the many stories of Norwich history told that day, it was the segment that retold Joe’s story in just a few moments that I had been waiting for.  Using words from my book Escaping Hitler the talented performers paid tribute to Joe.  I have posted this film before but I thought it worth another viewing.

TODAY, 27th JANUARY 2018 is Holocaust Memorial Day. Sharing BBC film on Joe Stirling.

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Last evening, 26th January 2018 BBC Look East (Regional News programme) showed a short documentary created by Senior Reporter Mike Liggins,  on the Kindertransport , featuring Joe Stirling’s story in his own words, using some of the photographs that appear in my biography Escaping Hitler. The piece is introduced by Stewart White and Suzie Fowler-Watt.  For the full story of Joe’s remarkable life and his contribution to Norwich over seven decades, plus more photographs, check the Menu drop down for details on how to order your copy, signed by both Joe and me.

 

ESCAPING HITLER FOR CHRISTMAS!

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I don’t think I can ignore CHRISTMAS any longer!!!  If you are considering gifts for the relative or friend who has everything, or someone who loves to read, especially if they are or have been Norwich residents, then Joe Stirling’s biography should be well received….  you can order a hardback copy, signed by both author and subject direct from me by contacting me at phyllida.scrivens@icloud.com.  I can take credit and debit payments on the telephone and I will package the book up safely, mailing it out by first class post.  The price is £19.50 plus £4 postage and packing.  I look forward to hearing from you! PLEASE SHARE!!joe-stirling-2

Incredible list of speaking engagements for Escaping Hitler 2016 & 2017

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Mindful that in early November Joe and I will be undertaking our final speaking engagement of 2017, to the good ladies of the Hopton-on-Sea Women’s Institute, I thought I would take a look through our visits since Escaping Hitler was published in January 2016.  I was amazed at the number of groups I/we have spoken to, resulting in nearly 300 signed books sold following the talks.  If you then add in sales directly from book exhibitions and individual readers approaching me online or via the telephone, total direct sales amount to 891 and counting!  Unbelievable.  I thought you might be interested in seeing the list of talks, the vast majority of which were in Norwich and surrounding area. (Photo taken at Norfolk Record Office on 8th February 2017) Thanks to all those who have invited us.  We  already have 11 dates in the diary for 2018!

ESCAPING HITLER 64 Speaking Engagements in Norfolk and beyond during 2016 and 2017

 

Norwich Ladies Luncheon Club
Old Catton Women’s Institute
Official Launch at Jarrolds Department Store, Norwich
Norwich Synagogue
Belton Women’s Institute
Norwich North Liberal Democrats
Norwich Chamber Music Club
Wymondham Heritage Society
The Norfolk Club
Norwich Community History Group
Out and about Club
Mercedes Benz Owners Club evening
Walsingham Historical Society
East Anglia Women Networking Group
Brooke Women’s Institute
Lions International Regional Conference, Colchester
Sunday Assembly, Norwich
Association of Jewish Refugees
Mid Norfolk Family History Society
Rotary Club of Norwich St Edmund
Attleborough Public Library
Koblenz Federal Archive, Rhineland
The village of Nickenich, Rhineland
Great Hospital Group
Townswomen Guild Central Norwich Group
Mulbarton Words Week
Townwomen’s Guild Eaton Group
East Anglia Festival of Culture, Lowestoft
Wymondham British Legion
Recycled Teenagers Group
Norwich Business Women’s Network
Norwich Inter-faith Group
Liberal Democrat Regional Conference
Time Travellers Meeting, Heritage Centre, Forum
Sprowston History Group
Norwich Lunchtime Women’s Institute
Bure School, Aylsham
Norwich Ladies Luncheon Club
UEA Retirement Group
Paston College, North Walsham
Norwich Labour Party History Group
The Norwich School
Norfolk Record Office
Aylsham Library
Vale Probus Club Ladies’ Lunch
Koblenz Norwich Friendship Society AGM
Unison Trade Union Retired Members Norfolk Branch
Wymondham Sixth Form College
Salvation Army Ladies’ Fellowship
Mid Norfolk Family History Society
Civil Service Retirement Fellowship
Easton Women’s Institute
Maddermarket Theatre for Performance of Kindertransport
Beccles Probus Club
Lakenham Townswomen’s Guild
Catton Townswomen’s Guild
Mileham W.I. Near King’s Lynn
Holt Women’s Institute
Thetford Society
Get Together Group Norwich Theatre Royal
Brooklands Care Home, Taverham
The Probus Club of Wymondham and District

Broadland Housing Association, Dereham
Cringleford W.I.

Escaping Hitler Book signing at Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich

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I am delighted to have been invited to sign copies of my book Escaping Hitler at the historic Maddermarket Theatre in Norwich on Saturday 19th May on the opening weekend of ‘Kindertransport’ a play by Diane Samuels. Recently Joe Stirling, the subject of this biography of a Kindertransport boy whose destiny was to become Sheriff of Norwich, visited rehearsals and spoke with the cast about this childhood experiences in Nazi Germany.

Signed copies of the book will be available throughout the run (19 – 27 May), although as I am currently completing my next book, I will not be able to attend the theatre every night.  If you live near Norwich and would like to see the play, take a look at the Maddermarket website at maddermarket.co.uk.

Kindertransport by Diane Samuels, Directed by Tony Fullwood

As the clouds of war gather in 1930’s Germany, a desperate mother forces her nine year old daughter onto a train, sending her out of danger and into the arms of strangers.
In peaceful, suburban, 1980’s England, a proud mother prepares to say farewell to her grown-up daughter, as she cuts the ties of childhood to leave the family home.
Then a chance discovery opens an unhealed wound.

I look forward to meeting the cast and the audiences.  Joe’s experiences should certainly complement the text of the play.  This photo shows Joe with the cast. Thanks to the Theatre Manager Rebecca for arranging the book signing.  I am looking forward to it!

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