Friendship, Love & Truth is launched

The Vale Rawlings book Friendship, Love & Truth, written by Elaine Pritchard, has been officially launched at Burton upon Trent public library.

The book can now be bought, priced at £15.99, with all profits going to two charities, YMCA Burton and SARAC (Sexual Abuse Rape Advice Centre). Contact the Vale Rawlings project here for more details of how to buy your copy.

The invitation-only launch was attended by groups and individuals who had contributed in some way towards the Vale Rawlings project. This included members of Vale Rawlings' family; East Staffordshire Borough Councillors; local historians and researchers; trade unionists; actors who appeared in Elaine's play Strikers! in December 2024 and local charities and business owners.

Many people who supported the Crowdfunder appeal, and chose a book as their reward for their donation, attended to collect their book and dozens more copies were sold on the night.

Elaine thanked everyone for attending and the Burton library staff for providing refreshments and hosting the event.

She also spoke about the people and organisations who had helped her research the history of Vale Rawlings and his involvement with the trade union movement; World War One; the fight for universal suffrage and the regeneration of Burton upon Trent between the wars. These included Burton library, Staffordshire Record Office and the Modern Records Centre at the University of Warwick. She thanked Tilley Bancroft for her artwork for the book cover and Matt Bancroft for supporting both the play of Strikers! and a screening in October of the film made of it. Lindsay Corten, who proofread the manuscript was also thanked along with Sarah Houldcroft of publishers Goldcrest Books. Special thanks also went to Elaine's family and friends for their support along with the donors from trade unions and businesses and to East Staffordshire Borough Council who had support the project from the start.

Branch no LE47 of Unite the Union (the modern day descendant of the Workers' Union that Vale helped form in Burton upon Trent in 1911) donated a £250 cheque to the project, which was handed over on the night by Rob Tolley.

Rob Tolley of Unite the Union with Elaine Pritchard

Caroline Fotheringham of SARAC and Catherine Miles of YMCA Burton also attended the launch and spoke about the work their charities do in Burton upon Trent today and how it relates to the values and achievements of Vale during the early part of the 20th century.

The final speech of the night was made by Will Walker, secretary of East Staffordshire Trade Union Council who co-founded the Vale Rawlings Project Community Interest Company with Elaine. He spoke about the issues that Vale fought for, such as fair wages and improved working conditions and his battles against discrimination, inequality and prejudice.

The 340-page paperback book includes the full script of Strikers! as well as a number of black and white images.

Elaine with members of Vale Rawlings' family at the book launch.

Some of the cast of Strikers! who attended the book launch.

Caroline of SARAC (left) and Catherine of YMCA Burton speak at the book launch.

The launch of Friendship, Love & truth at Burton upon Trent Library.