November in Tipton

On entering the library you're immediately greeted by the Tipton Heritage Centre, in which every little nook and cranny is filled with bits and bobs from our past, including a display on 'the way we spake round ere' (our dialect). It's no surprise then that November saw a number of events taking place around Remembrance Day throughout the town.

Tipton Community Association (TCA) held its annual Remembrance Parade on November 9. The parade, which begins at the Tipton Sports and Social Club, makes its way to the memorial on Victoria Park where a service is held. This has been taking place since 1966 and there's always a tremendous turnout of old and young alike. This year's parade was attended by the mayor of Sandwell, councillor Derek Rowley, and Paul Sabapathy CBE, Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands.

TCA also organised the Tipton Festival of Remembrance at Brook Street Community Centre on November 11. The festival featured Halesowen Brass Band and the Ellenvale Singers, and was supported by Tipton Royal British Legion and uniformed organizations.

As part of a national 'Last Post' project launched by Government communities secretary Eric Pickles in January 2014, two very special events were held in Tipton and Great Bridge libraries. The project involves 300 communities holding musical events in each year of the World War One Centenary from 2014 to 2018. These events are held in the two weeks either side of Remembrance Sunday, and rely on communities researching their own local World War One heritage in preparation for holding a musical performance in libraries, schools, and community centres. The Last Post is also played during the event for a local soldier who died in the war.

The event at Tipton Library was dedicated to Corporal Joseph Davies, the only WWI solider in Tipton to be awarded the VC for great bravery in protecting his fellow soldiers before single-handedly chasing down the retreating enemy. It was an extremely moving moment when the bugler sounded that call. Billy Spakemon was the host at this free event, and we were treated to an evening of music and poetry, very ably provided by Andy Casserley, Linda Simpson and Mr Spakemon himself.

We were very lucky to have relatives of Cpl Davies in the audience with us that evening. A very striking painting of Cpl Davies in the theatre of war now hangs in the Library's Heritage Centre and I'd recommend that if you are passing the library to pop in and see it.

The second Last Post event, held at Great Bridge Library, was dedicated to Sgt Harry Callear and hosted by Wednesbury's poet laureate Brendan Hawthorne.

Churches in the area hold their own commemorative events, and this year St Matthew's Church held a World War One memorial event on November 8 with guests from the Tipton Royal British Legion, with money raised at the event going to the branch.

Each of these events had a special poignancy, given the Centenary of the First World War, and offered me an opportunity to share the importance of Remembrance with my daughter. The gratitude, sadness, and sense of pride felt for the bravery of all those who gave their tomorrow for our today at these events was truly touching.

Pride of Tipton Awards

The second Pride of Tipton Awards are taking place on April 8, 2015. With the first awards being made this year at a sparkling reception at the RSA Academy (or the old 'Willingsworth High School' as most of us over a certain age know it), these awards are the opportunity to recognise the efforts of Tiptonians in their local community. So if you know someone who you think should be recognised for their outstanding work or contribution to the Tipton community, you may want to nominate them for an award. To nominate, email pot@rsaacademy.org or pick up a nomination form, which will no doubt be dotted around Tipton's libraries and other public places.