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People Matters
When 10-year-old Jay Harrison saved up pocket money to buy his Mum a lovely Christmas card, he had no idea that he would be starting a family tradition that would span three decades. PG fully embraced the heartwarming story of a Simon Elvin card that has not only passed between a mother and son every year for 30 years, but the exchange reached new heights on the Christmas Day just gone, all serving to reinforce the power greeting cards wield in our lives. Simon Elvin has published millions upon millions of greeting cards since he started the publishing company that bears his name back in 1978. An email from a member of the public about one particular design ignited Simon to delve into the company’s rich archives, make contact with fine artist Kevin Shepherd (who painted the original design) and engage in an enduring Christmas tradition for one devoted mother and son. Roseleen (Roe, as she likes to be called) Walsh, who works for the NHS in Oswestry hospital, wrote to Simon Elvin to pay tribute to the quality of the cards he publishes, with ample proof, namely one Christmas card that has been passed between her son Jay and herself for the last 30 Christmasses. “Some 30 years ago, I received a Christmas card from my then 10 year old son
In the front ‘Roe’
Roe is a firm believer in the buying and sending of greeting cards, something she inherited from her father, who she describes as having been “the greeting card king” who sadly passed away in March last year. “He would “spend hours finding the right card, especially selecting the verse, for birthday and anniversary cards for Mum. The sentiment he put into his card choices would bring a tear to the hardest heart,” says Roe. “I recently sat and read the Christmas card that my Mum and Dad sent me for Christmas 2020. Seeing his handwritten message in a card that he sent me a few months before his death evoked fabulous memories of him. That was the last Christmas card he ever wrote to me, and I will cherish it forever,” shares Roe. Roe tends to buy her cards from the shop in the NHS Trust hospital where she works. “They have a really good selection of cards and it helps the League of Friends to raise money for the hospital,” she says. 96
PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE
Above: The special Simon Elvin card that has been passed between mother and son every year for three decades. Left: Roseleen Walsh with her son Jay and the 30 year old Christmas card.
Jay who had saved his pocket money to spend £1.00 on a card, which was the earth to us back then,” said Roe of the Code 100 card which features a cat and mouse design, typical of the popular cute style of the early 90s. “I was very happy to receive it,” said Roe of the card (that Jay bought from Neighbours of Chirk, a convenience store that is now owned by the Co-op). Although not a fan of cats, and still bemused as to why this particular design was selected by her son, she loves how being given that card by her young son was to spark a family tradition that was to span three decades and continues to this day. “The following Christmas he handed me the same card, and has done every year since,” Roe continued about the annual card exchange. “The card has become a big part of our family Christmas traditions,” Roe adds.