Delighted to announce that Joe Stirling’s obituary, as submitted by local writer Tom Carver, has today, 23rd May, 2020, been published in a UK national newspaper, The Guardian. Probably the first national to carry a photograph of my book cover; its been a long time coming! So pleased that Joe’s remarkable story has now reached an even greater audience. Joe would be thrilled to see his obituary, alongside other luminaries, inside a national newspaper…..
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.
Yesterday, 6th March 2020, Joe’s family hosted a wonderful afternoon of memories, tears and smiles, with well over a hundred people squeezing into the tranquil Woodland Hall at Green Acres Woodland Burial Park in Norwich. There was someone from every part of Joe Stirling’s long and remarkable life, family members of all generations, civic colleagues including the current Norwich Lord Mayor, Rabbis from the Norwich Synagogue, people from business, his former committees, Lions Club International, the travel industry and from the Nursing home where he ended his days. The humanist celebrant gave a wonderful summary of his life including a mention for Escaping Hitler, commenting on how much joy the experience of working on his life story had given to Joe in his final years.
The guests and well -wishers were invited back to the Sainsbury’s Centre at the University of East Anglia for a drink, a buffet and to share many memories of ‘knowing Joe Stirling’. The beautiful spray of yellow and white flowers, created by Elizabeth’s Florist of Unthank Road, that had graced the coffin, were brought into the hall where they took centre stage on the sumptuous buffet table. There were photos of Joe and his family on the walls and it was so good to become reacquainted with many people whom I had interviewed when researching Joe’s life. Joe was a special man and there are many who will miss his friendship.
Joe requested that instead of flowers, friends might like to contribute to one of his favourite international causes, UNICEF. If you would like to add your name please call Gordon Barber Funeral Home in Norwich on 01603 484308 and ask how you can help.
This is the saddest post I have written on this Escaping Hitler blog. Joe Stirling died peacefully on Sunday afternoon, 9th February, aged 95. He had been suffering from a chest infection for about 2 weeks and he was well cared for and loved at the end. I had known Joe since December 2011 and over our time researching and writing his book together, followed by our hundreds of public appearances to share his remarkable story, we grew close and I loved him dearly. I owe him so much. This very special man leaves a large devoted family covering all generations. They and so many others, both in Norfolk and well beyond, will miss him. I am posting just a few of my favourite photos to mark his passing. At peace now.
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.
It was with great sadness today that I learnt the news of the death of Roy Blower, Lord Mayor of Norwich in 2007, “Superfan” and fundraiser for Norwich City Football Club, and one of Joe Stirling’s closest friends. Roy suffered from progressive Parkinson’s Disease for many years, and died peacefully this week with his wife Beryl and family members by his side. Roy gave me tremendous support when I was researching Joe’s political life for Escaping Hitler, sharing stories of his youth when ‘Mr Stirling’ helped him join the Young Labour Group when Roy was just sixteen. Roy remained a loyal fan of Joe for the rest of his life. Below you will find an excerpt from the book. Roy was a fun man, always ready with a smile and a joke. Everybody loved Roy and the City of Norwich will miss him.
‘By 1960 Joe’s political career was escalating. A firm supporter of democracy, he chaired a number of sub-committees at City Council, at the same time holding positions within the Norwich Labour Party. These included Chair of the Finance Committee, Political Education Officer and Youth Officer. It was through this latter post in 1958 that Joe first met Roy Blower, a fifteen-year-old schoolboy from Lakenham Secondary School. Roy was an energetic member of the Young Socialists, but not yet old enough to become a card-carrying member of the national Party. He approached Mr Stirling to ask whether the Party might permit him to join early, his sixteenth birthday seeming such a long way off.
Although this breach of the rules was clearly out of the question, Joe admired the boy’s enthusiasm, putting him to work delivering bundles of campaign leaflets as well as offering additional responsibilities during social evenings held at the Herbert Fraser Hall twice a week. Curious, Roy asked others about Mr Stirling’s long involvement with the Labour Movement. He was struck by the man’s genuine interest in him and the respect he commanded from all who met him. On 6 April 1959 Roy was finally sixteen. His membership card was already prepared. It was the start of a lifelong association with local politics; Chairman of the Young Socialists by twenty, two years later sitting on the
Regional Executive. This was just the start. The coming years would see Roy fulfilling many of his early political ambitions.’
I am delighted to announce that Joe Stirling’s friend Dr Marian Prinsley became the new Sheriff of Norwich last Tuesday at a traditional ceremony in City Hall. I was thrilled to be invited by Cllr Judith Lubbock, my chapter 15 in The Lady Lord Mayors of Norwich, to attend the 2019 Mayor-Making ceremony at Norwich City Hall last Tuesday.
I met up with several of the former Lady Lord Mayors who feature in my second book and was delighted to discover an overlap with my first biography, Escaping Hitler, as Dr Marian Prinsley from the Jewish community in Norwich was made Sheriff. Marian is a good friend of Joe Stirling, the subject of this book, and I have met her on several occasions. Marian made an excellent speech which uncovered some close parallels with Joe’s experiences. Both were from Jewish families; Joe’s ancestors from Germany, and Marian’s from Russia. Both came to England escaping possible persecution when they were 14 years old, both marrying and settling in Norwich. The following day I visited Joe and told him all about the Mayor-making and he was delighted to hear that his friend Marian was now wearing his gown and hat, as worn by him in 1975-6. I wish both Vaughan and Marian an excellent year of civic service.
The new Lord Mayor of Norwich, Vaughan Thomas, with his wife, Lady Mayoress, Vivien Thomas, and the new Sheriff of Norwich, Dr Marian Prinsley, with her husband, Peter Prinsley, on the City Hall steps. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (EDP)
As a former Sheriff of Norwich (1975-6) Joe Stirling, the star of Escaping Hitler: A Jewish Boy’s Quest for Freedom and His Future (Pen and Sword Books 2016), was naturally invited to the annual black-tie dinner of the Norwich Civic Association. This year I was also invited as the after-dinner speaker, to speak about my new book The Lady Lord Mayors of Norwich 1923-2017 (Pen and Sword Books, 2018). It was an honour and a privilege to address this most knowledgable of audiences! All seemed to go well and Joe enjoyed his evening immensely. Victor and I are now taking a well earned break for a couple of weeks. Back with more updates on Joe soon.
Phyllida and Joe at Civic Association Dinner, 23rd April 2018
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. |
Yesterday, Saturday 8th July 2017, on a sunny lunchtime, I was in the audience for a performance of ‘Come Yew In: A Proud History of Strangers in Norwich’, a lively 90 minute review featuring music and dance. This new production from theatre company The Common Lot was part of the annual Lord Mayor’s Celebration weekend. Director Simon Floyd had approached Joe to ask if his story might be included in the drama. It was wonderful to see his story, so familiar to me, being communicated via a different media, so sensitively capsulated in such a brief moment. Here is the video footage I took so that you could share the moment.
Escaping Hitler: A Jewish Boy's Quest for Freedom and his Future 