Schools
Council shares local history book honouring late Queen with schools and care homes
Published on
A new local history book that draws together a selection of stories about Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II’s four visits to the borough is being shared and distributed by Walsall Council free of charge to local schools and care homes. The book is also on display in the Borough Archives, the New Art Gallery Walsall and all seven local libraries for visitors to view.
“ This is a special book and it’s an honour to share it with schools and care homes across Walsall. The late Queen was a very important part of our country, and it is important that we commemorate and continue to tell these stories to preserve her memory.
For many older residents, the book will evoke nostalgia, and their own personal memories, from the excitement of the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 and all her official visits to Walsall, where crowds gathered to welcome her. Younger readers will be able to connect with the vibrant celebrations of street parties, which brought local communities together. “
The book was launched earlier this year in January 2025 at a special event hosted by the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris. Guests included the Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands David Frost CBE DL and participants who took part in the project.
Commissioned by Walsall Council in 2022 to commemorate Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee, the book was edited by Debra Slade, Director of Walsall Creative Factory, which develops arts and heritage projects with communities. Over the last two years, more than 100 participants were interviewed, and the book bring to life stories and memories of the Coronation in 1953, street parties and Jubilee celebrations and personal reminiscences of the late Queen’s official visits to Walsall.
One of the stories in the book features Doreen Craddock. Doreen, as the youngest employee at local firm J.A. Crabtree & Co Ltd, presented a bouquet to the Queen during her visit in 1962. She said, “The best part, for me, was they showed a film of the Queen’s visit a few weeks later at the Savoy Cinema at the top of Park Street. It was a special Crabtree’s night. All my family came along to watch, and there I was, projected onto the big screen, curtsying to the Queen.”
Ends
Notes to editors
- The Crabtree Society website hosts two videos of the royal visit. These can be found at http://www.thecrabtreesociety.co.uk/Video.html
- Copies of the book are on display for visitors to view in all seven libraries in the borough including Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston, Streetly, Willenhall, the Lichfield Street Hub in Walsall town centre and The New Art Gallery Walsall.
