Press Release
5/5/2005
VE day festivities in Wolverhampton
Residents in Wolverhampton are making the week leading up to the 60th anniversary of VE day really special, with George Formby musicians, community reminiscence drama performances and a WWII tank on the Willenhall Road!
The activities are all as a result of an intergenerational project between Deansfield High School, St Matthews Place tenants, Framed Theatre Company, Creative Partnerships, Wolverhampton City Council and Persimmon Homes.
This project follows on from a successful working relationship around the development of Persimmon Homes’ Mayfields site (Willenhall Road) and the positive benefits that it is bringing to the community.
Many of the St Matthew’s Place tenants have lived in the local community for all of their lives and remember the original VE day celebrations. They have been able to recount their memories to the young people from Deansfield High School. These activities will help young people and the local community to better understand the significance of events as the second world war came to an end, and appreciate the important roles played by local people. Pupils from Deansfield have gone on joint related visits with the tenants to talk about the original VE day. A small exhibition of images from the partnership can be seen in Wolverhampton’s Civic Centre this week.
Thursday 5th May 2005
A wartime tea party will be held with pupils from Deansfield High School and the residents from St Matthews Place. This event will be a chance for the residents and pupils to dress in clothing that would have been available in the war. It is also an opportunity for the young people to cook and eat the food that was available during heavy rationing.
Friday 6th May 2005
VE day party.
Drama performances at 4pm and 6pm with pupils from Deansfield High School and Framed Theatre company. The performances have been inspired by stories from reminiscence work with the residents of St Matthews Place and pupils from Deansfield High School.
Saturday 7th May 2005
3pm The territorial army cadets will be doing demonstrations and on
the Mayfields site.
4pm Performance by Framed Theatre and Deansfield High School
5.30pm VE day service with local vicar – Rev David Watkin
6.15 Second drama performance by Framed Theatre and Deansfield High School
7pm Two George Formby musicians called ‘The Two Matts’ will be performing to finish off the celebrations.
There will be an original WWII tank and a WWII Daimler Armoured Scout Car on the Mayfields site all day.
Notes for editors
Availability for interviews:
· Staff and pupils from Deansfield High School – anytime
· Residents from St Matthews Place – to be arranged
· Two George Formby musicians – available in the evenings and throughout the weekend.
· Framed Theatre Company – by appointment
· Tank owner – by appointment
Photographs are available from the workshops with the residents and pupils from Deansfield High School
Focus Futures owns St Matthews Place and is recognised nationally and locally as providing innovative and high quality services to some of the regions most socially excluded people. These services are delivered to people with a range of needs including homelessness, mental health and learning disabilities, older people and younger people. All of our services provide opportunities as well as accommodation and support. Services are delivered in the West Midlands by directly managed projects, working in partnership with key experienced voluntary and statutory sector providers.
Contact details
Media enquiries and interviews call:
Siobhán O’Neill on 07779 710769 or 0121 525 9717
Creative Partnerships the Black Country
84 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 6JW
