Queen Elizabeth II was Britain’s longest-serving monarch and much loved throughout her kingdom.
Now, a newly launched book aims to chronicle the late Monarch’s links to one particular part of her realm: the town of Walsall in the West Midlands.
Her experience of the Black Country seems to have contrasted somewhat with the initial impressions the region had on the young Princess Victoria when she visited the Midlands for the first time.
Victoria, albeit just as a 13-year-old girl, infamously described the region at the time as “desolate” and “black”.
Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria were the two longest-serving monarchs in British history, but Elizabeth’s experience of this often underrated part of the West Midlands seems to have differed dramatically from that of her great grandmother.
Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, in fact, made no less than four visits to the borough of Walsall during her amazing 70 years on the throne and these are now lovingly retold in “Walsall Celebrates Queen Elizabeth II, Stories of The Queen’s visits and Jubilee parties.”
Walsall is arguably best known for its old leather making industry and less for any Royal connections.
The new publication, which outlines some of these links, was created by Walsall Creative Factory, which develops arts and heritage projects with communities. The team researched, interviewed, photographed and captured in print the stories of local people’s experience.
The book draws together a selection of touching stories about local, down-to-earth Walsall folk, including the late Olive Finch, who writes the book’s epilogue.
The story of the Queen and Olive, now both sadly deceased, provide a kind of chronological “thread”, or unofficial narrative, for the book.
Earlier this week, some of Olive’s relatives attended the launch of the local history book which will be distributed to local libraries, schools, and care homes. Olive also got a special mention in one of the speeches at the launch.
Those present included her grand-daughter Jessica Grace Coleman, who said,
It was a delightful occasion and the book is a fitting tribute to the Queen and also, in a way, to my dear late nan.
The launch, at the town’s Council House, was hosted by the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris, and other guests included Deputy Lieutenant David Frost, CBE DL and participants who took part in the project.
Walsall Council commissioned the book in 2022, when the late Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee. Over a period of two years, more than 100 participants were interviewed, and their tales include stories and memories of the Coronation in 1953, street parties and Jubilee celebrations, and personal reminiscences of official visits to Walsall by the Queen.
From February, a copy will be displayed in Walsall Archives and all of its seven libraries, including Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston, Streetly, Willenhall and the Lichfield Street Hub in Walsall town centre. The New Art Gallery Walsall will also have a copy for visitors to view. Every school in the borough will be given a copy too.
Commenting, Debra Slade, Director of Walsall Creative Factory, said,
This has been a lovely project to work on. This book celebrates the late Queen’s links to Walsall and
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