4,000 'peace cards' delivered to Tipton children to mark VE Day
A Black Country history group is marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day by delivering more than 4,000 peace cards to schoolchildren in the area.
Tipton Town Libraries Local History Group came up with the idea after member Betty Johnson found a card she received as a seven year old in 1938,, when the town was given borough status.
The group, with the help of A & A Walters funeral directors, produced a similar card but to commemorate VE Day, which they distributed to children across Tipton.
And mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Syeda Khatun, joined in by helping to deliver the cards to pupils at St Paul’s CE Academy yesterday (Wednesday).
Betty, now 93, was there too, passing on the memories to today’s children of the moment she received her 'borough card' at the old St Mark’s school in Spring Street.
This time, for VE Day 80, the card has a poem for peace written by local poet Barbara Fletcher.
The cards were distributed to schools and groups across the town, with copies also being sent to the King, the Prime Minister, and to anyone who still holds their or their parent’s 1938 borough card.
Robert Hazel, a member of Tipton Town Libraries Local History Group, said: “The history group was set up to promote, preserve and protect our local history.
“The Peace Card being created as a tribute to the borough card from 1938, owned by one of our group Betty Johnson, gives a nod to the past whilst looking forward to the future and we hope to do many more projects with local schools.”
Anna McGuire, principal at St Paul’s CE Academy, said: “We are thrilled that our pupils have been gifted beautiful Peace Cards to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
“The Peace Card message carries the spirit of hope and unity, reminding us all of the importance of peace. A sincere thank you to the history group for their generosity.”
Councillor Khatun said it was a wonderful idea from the history group to commemorate VE Day 80 this year and it was an honour for me to be asked to help deliver them to children.
“We hope some of these Peace Cards may turn up years into the future in the same way the original card turned up.
“This is one of the many ways in which Sandwell is celebrating VE Day 80. We are reflecting on the sacrifices made by the Second World War generation, to honour them for what they achieved and to celebrate their legacy.”
When Tipton became a borough on October 1, 1938, every child at school was given a Borough Card from Councillor Albert Parker JP, then chairman of the education committee.
The card featured an image of the borough arms with a description. It also bore the message “Always remember it is your privilege and duty to uphold the honour and dignity of your borough”.
The message this time, in a nod to the past, the peace card includes the message “Always remember it is your privilege and duty to uphold the honour and dignity of your town”.
