Why buy ‘Made in Britain’ for The Queen's Diamond Jubilee?

Just because you are buying a piece of British memorabilia does not mean it is made in Britain. Sadly many of the items on sale to remind us of a visit to a British tourist attraction or a major event are made far from Britain.

A recent article in The Birmingham Post quoted Mr Hobbs from Vaughtons a British firm located in Birmingham “This is a British Olympics being held in London the capital city but almost 90 per cent of the things being sold have been made in other countries like China or Turkey.” Mr Hobbs said.

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/manufacturing-and-skills-business/2012/04/13/birmingham-medal-maker-angry-as-london-2012-olympics-snub-uk-firms-65233-30755495/#ixzz1tEOrgeBJ

There is also a plethora of British memorabilia for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee available in shops or online. These include products for events, souvenirs to wear and merchandise to display. The statistics for what percentage is made in Britain is not available, but the belief is that it is similar to the Olympics.

Is this important? Should we care…..?

Yes we should. The Queen herself has done much to support British manufacture and business. As we are now officially in a recession it seems only right that we take the time to Buy British for this most British of events. It is also reasonable to assume that overseas visitors would like a British made memento to remember this quintessentially British celebration.

It is interesting to consider how other countries would act in similar situations. Are American  Independence Day mementoes made in China or Indonesia? How would Americans feel about that?

Let’s make The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee the catalysis to help us stop for a minute before we reach for our payment card to buy a product to celebrate being British.

In Buckinghamshire two school mums thought that something should be done about this. They were so disappointed by the lack of affordable ‘British Made’ Jubilee souvenirs that they set up a company to produce a low cost yet quality British made Diamond Jubilee souvenir that would also support The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust charity.

Their Diamond Jubilee Celebration Wrist Ties are named after Her Majesty The Queen’s Palaces, estates and her military guards. There are available in six styles for both men and women and can be worn to special occasions or just every day. Priced at £3.99 or £4.99 with 10% of every purchase going to The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Trust charity, they can be purchased online at  www.2012diamond.co.uk

“I don’t think it is apathy amongst us that is causing us not to consider the issues around buying a foreign made Diamond Jubilee souvenir” said Director of Celebration Wrist Ties Leanne Bodell-Forbes. “It is probably as simple as just not asking the question. Is this Diamond Jubilee Souvenir made in Britain? “

The Celebration Wrist Ties Company allows you to show your support for Her Majesty and for Britain during the once in a lifetime Diamond Jubilee celebrations. With just over four weeks to go to the major events, the hope is that the many people from the UK and Commonwealth and from other countries who have gathered in the UK to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will be buying British made memorabilia.