‘Labour of love marks city’s bond with Lidice’
TOMORROW marks 80 years since the Nazis began their operation to destroy the Czech village of Lidice in response to the assassination of high-ranking Reinhard Heydrich.
The operation led to one of the Second World War’s worst atrocities, but also a story of hope and inspiration, the roots of which are here in North Staffordshire.
Within days of the Nazis’ barbarous acts, Stoke-on-trent councillor Dr Barnett Stross launched fundraising efforts with the idea of rebuilding the village.
Two weeks later, the Lidice Shall Live committee had been formed and met for the first time, which went on to raise significant funds which enabled a new Lidice to rise from the ashes, while Stross went on to establish strong links between North Staffordshire and the former Czechoslovakia.
It’s a story that became largely forgotten over time in our part of the world, particularly in the years that followed Stross’s passing in 1967.
However, that has changed over the past decade or so thanks to the tireless work of Alan and Cheryl Gerrard who have re-established and strengthened the links between North Staffordshire and the Czech Republic and led to the formation of Lidice Lives which continues to promote the emotional bond through art and culture.
In this year, the 80th anniversary of the Lidice atrocity, Alan has published a most incredible book – The Path to Lidice: And the Legacy of the Lidice Shall Live Campaign – which
documents the Lidice story in great detail, from the events that preceded the outbreak of the Second World War through to Operation Anthropoid and its horrific fallout, and of course, the Lidice Shall Live campaign and its enduring legacy.
It is the scope of the book which makes it such an impressive effort.
Alan, below, fully understands the wider context of the Lidice story, particularly how the 1938 Munich Agreement and the political failings that followed set the scene for increased Nazi aggression throughout Czechoslovakia which ultimately created the circumstances which meant that tragedies such as that which conspired in Lidice became inevitable. But while The Path to Lidice illustrates the darkness that descended on eastern Europe during the late 1930s, it also beautifully documents how North Staffordshire’s coal mining communities responded in solidarity with the Czechoslovakian people, and how peace helped to bring forth the new Lidice and many years of friendship.
It was perhaps fitting that it was Stross and the miners that led the cause. Stross was an internationalist, and as such, was naturally appalled by fascism and tyranny, common ground that he shared with the people of North Staffordshire.
As Stross himself put it in a speech at a 1963 Lidice commemorative event, ‘the miners’ lamp dispels the shadows on the coal face. It can also send a ray of light across Europe to those who struggle in darkness.’
Stross considered the establishment of the Lidice Shall Live movement his greatest achievement, and he continued to develop and nurture the bond created until his passing.
Over the years, I’ve often talked with Alan about the Lidice story and its continued importance, and I’ve always been astonished by his breadth of knowledge and genuine passion for this very important part of North Staffordshire’s history.
Alan has always been a firm believer that the story should continue to be shared, and I’ve always thought that one of the ways that he would do this would be to articulate the story through the written word, and well here we are.
Alan has delivered what will become seen as the definitive account of the Lidice story, and it’s quite apt that it has been published this year.
Just as Barnett Stross felt that Lidice Shall Live was his greatest achievement, I believe that Alan Gerrard may well look back upon the creation of Lidice Lives and the writing of The Path to Lidice as his greatest achievement.
The Path to Lidice is a true labour of love and a remarkable piece of work that doesn’t just recount the story of one our city’s proudest moments - it’s also the road to inspiration.
Don’t just take my word for it, find out for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.