RECENTLY the Chronicle reported the findings of an old First World War peace mug that had surfaced at a village spring fair.
Jennifer Collishaw took the item to the Brierley Spring Fete to show it to long-standing residents of the village who may be interested in its history. The mug is thought to have been a peace mug to commemorate the end of the First World War.
Jennifer said that she inherited the piece from her mum before she died, which she got from her parents - and is thought to have been passed down the generations over the years and eventually ended up in her possession.
In response to this, the Chronicle was contacted by a reader who had seen the peace mug and collects a range of different peace items herself. Jane Ainsworth was born in Hoyland and is a collector of these sorts of items as a hobby.
“I am very interested in this because I collect World War One memorabilia and have been collecting all sorts of peace items,” Jane said.
“These include ceramic mugs, plates, jugs, medals and other things as well such as postcards and stereoscopic slides. I bought my first peace mug about seven years ago and was drawn to it because it was for Hoyland Working Mens’ Club - I was born in Hoyland - and since then I’ve seen a lot of similar items.
“Although fighting stopped with the Armistice on November 11 1918, the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28 1919 brought peace. There were many celebrations and July 19 was designated Peace Day.
“Commemorative items were given to school children in many towns and cities and, no doubt, clubs and other groups also produced souvenir items for members.
“I recently bid on eBay for a Barnsley Co-op peace tin but it went for more than I was willing to pay because it was in very poor condition, badly scratched. A pity as this is the first one I’ve seen - perhaps some readers have them at home?”
If any Chronicle readers have any information about the peace collections from Barnsley - especially the Barnsley Co-op peace tin - then please get in touch by emailing megan.wallace@barsley-chronicle.co.uk or ringing 734202.
