Publishers and retailers urged to join in Cards For The Queen initiative for Her Majesty’s 70th celebrations
It’s almost time for the Platinum Party – and publishers are being urged to send their special greeting cards in for the Cards For The Queen initiative so the GCA will be able to deliver them to Her Majesty to celebrate her record-breaking 70-year reign.
Meanwhile, cardies around the country are all set for the platinum celebrations, with great window displays at shops from including &Quirky in Berkhamsted, Malvern’s Austin & Co, No14 Ampthill, The Card Collection in East Moseley, and Chelmsford’s Bill & Bert’s.
In Stevenage, Cardies owner Jo Sorrell has expanded the decorating to bunting bombing the High Street railings, along with fabulous knitted postbox toppers from her clever auntie Pamela and her crafty friends.
Jo’s also had a special card made featuring her shop dogs The Ponks, which she’s sending in to the GCA‘s Cards For The Queen display at PG Live, on 7-8 June at London’s Business Design Centre.
In addition to these cards which will include publishers’ own celebratory messages, card companies are also being asked to donate extra cards that have either been made specifically for the occasion or are existing suitable designs, that will be made available at the show for visitors to select and write there and then, popping them into the Cards For The Queen postbox at PG Live.
And, just for fun, people can have their picture taken with Her Majesty as two life-sized standees will be on display thanks to cardboard, point-of-sale, and packaging firm N Smith.
All cards, those signed by publishers as well as blank versions, should be sent to the GCA, Cards For The Queen, United House, North Road, London N7 9DP to arrive no later than the extended deadline of Wednesday, 1 June, then all the written greeting cards will be hand-delivered to Buckingham Palace by members of the GCA and PG Live teams.
UK Greetings, Woodmansterne, Raspberry Blossom, Paintbox, and Carpe Lumen are among the publishers who have some great Jubilee-themed designs on offer.
And Moonpig not only has a Platinum collection, but the online card specialist has been inspired by the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative to work with Tree Nation and plant a tree for every card sold from the range, supporting one of the environmental charity’s local small-scale tree planting projects across the country.
Sarah-Jane Porter, head of cards at Moonpig, commented: “We’re delighted that our range of Jubilee-inspired cards will go towards honouring Her Majesty’s request to plant a tree for the Jubilee. We’ve designed the range with a variety of punny phrases and cheeky designs which we hope will put a smile on the nation’s face, while also helping us plant as many trees as possible.”
“At Moonpig we’re committed to protecting and preserving the environment and we’re continuously trying to play our part in doing what we can to be more green, and we hope to continue our efforts with this latest activation.”
In Barrow-In-Furness, Marianne Livesey runs the Happy Little Gift Company at Salthouse Post Office and she’s using both sides of her business to celebrate with a special competition to design a jubilee stamp.
“I’ll be sending all entries to Buckingham Palace too to show off everyone’s skills,” Marianne said, “I was going to put bunting up but figured I have my own bespoke bunting in the shape of all these amazing stamp designs!
“I’m so proud of all our amazing designs, it’s going to be so difficult to choose a winner on Sunday, 29 May, but I have got some friends to help me too.”
At Stationery Supplies Marple, owner Sarah Laker set up her window display on Wednesday, 25 May, and told PG Buzz: “With a quick – don’t believe it, it took bloody ages! – window change we’re jubilee ready.”
She also had some great advice for anyone still getting their windows into shape: “Looking for pens that you can decorate your windows with? The Pilot Pintor pens will do the job nicely and will come off with a bit of elbow grease – actually they come off easily but I thought if I said that someone might complain that they didn’t!”
To enjoy PG Live for yourself, all you need to do is register here and you will receive a free Show Preview to give you a taster of just some of the ranges that will be on offer, meaning that you’ll be on your way to discovering your new best sellers as well as catching up with all your industry friends!
And don’t forget… the lunch, refreshments, and opening night party are all laid on for you.
