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Carnivals and Peace Tree memorials in Bloxwich and Blakenall

At 5am on the morning of November 11th 1918 the guns were sillenced and the Armistice terms were signed, marking the end of fighting all along the Western Front. 

 

Our local towns were not far behind the celebrations held in London.  Flags were hoisted through windows, along the streets, and on buildings and  Church bells were rung.

 

However formal negotions continued into 1919 at the Paris Peace Conference.  The Treaty of Versailles, the formal peace treaty with Germany, was officially signed on the 28th June.

 

Communities looked at how they could celebrate the end of the war.  Trees were suggested as a living memorial.

 

Some called them Victory trees, but in Bloxwich and Blakenall we called them Peace trees.

 

Bloxwich's four trees are now  undistinguisable from the other trees in Bloxwich Park.  Blakenall's tree is located on the Green, and has in recent years become the centre of their Remembrance services.  Research and support from Graham Morris and Stan Lyons has now meant the tree is the official war memorial in Blakenall.

 

The National Memorial Arboretum continues with the planting of trees as living memorials

Blakenall Peace Tree Planting 19th July 1919
Bloxwich Peace Tree Planting

Carnival

 

Since 1918 the Walsall Observer had been calling for support for the Walsall Hospital, and was raising quite large sums of money for this cause. Bloxwich received a Royal message from the King in praise of their fund raising for Prisoners of War. When the First World War ended the first Bloxwich carnivals were organised by the Bloxwich Hospital Aid Society and were called Hospital Carnivals  This format was adopted by a number of local communities in the midlands, each calling their carnival a “Hospital Carnival” and raising cash for their local hospital. We must remember that our National Health Service was not established until the 1946 National Health Service Act, and before that Hospitals were private.

 

Saturday July 19th 1919 was the day appointed for the nation to rejoice over the Signing of the Peace.  Bloxwich was not behind in its efforts, every street was decorated with flags, and the old folk were entertained with dinner in the Public Hall.  This meal is continued today each year by the Carnival Committee. 

 

In 1919 a long procession was formed, headed by the Imperial Band, and wound its way through Bloxwich aided by the peal of Church bells. The procession included the Mayor who was joined by the leading members of the districts and representives of the different Guilds and Societies, many in fancy cotumes.  The parade included a large number of discharged servicemen who received a hearty reception from the community.  The parade ended in Bloxwich Park where a thanksgiving service was held around the bandstand.  After which the Mayoral party walked to where the tree planting was to be undertaken.  Four trees were planted by Mr S. Sanders, Councillor Hayward, Mrs Kidsdale and Mr Wiggin, followed by a number of speeches.

 

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