Iced Graphics designs Uncle Joe's VE Day tins

A Chorley based creative company, Iced, are helping to commemorate VE Day 2020; designing special tribute tins for Uncle Joe Mint Balls. 

With the current lockdown and social distancing, the anniversary celebrations may not be as originally planned but will still go ahead.

This Friday is especially poignant; marking 75 years since the end of WWII and Churchill held the first Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8th.

Poignant VE Day 75 Tommy Tins

The special VE Day Uncle Joe’s Tommy Tins (containing the cult classic sweet) stand out; not only for their design but the extraordinary back story. 

Paying special tribute to British troops who were nicknamed ‘Tommies’ and Tommy Bennett; a former employee of Uncle Joe’s. Tommy Bennett helped ensure front line forces had a regular supply of Uncle Joe Mint Balls, before joining the war effort himself, serving in the RAF.

Chorley based Iced Graphics were honoured to create a distinctive packaging design to commemorate this extra-special VE Day; where 20p from every sale goes to Armed Forces Charities.

Creative design commemorates rich heritage 

Uncle Joe’s were deemed so important to boosting morale during World War II, that Tommy Bennett (the only remaining sugar boiler) was granted 6-month’s leave from the RAF, to train up his female replacement and ensure production continued. 

Tommy Bennett was later to recall:  “One week I was boiling toffee and the very next, I was bombing the enemy in a Lancaster.”

The Tommy Tins are the latest in a range of cult-classic and new, exciting flavour packaging that Iced have created for Uncle Joe's. 

The Wigan based company, still makes sweets using traditional methods that William Santuscreated in 1898. It’s still owned and ran by his distant family and the Mint Ball recipe is still a closely guarded secret.  

Kev Hoyle, director of Iced, comments: "Celebrating VE Day 75 is even more important this year, in helping us feel togetherness and pride. We will remember the past, pay tribute to the WWII generation but also honour our present-day heroes.

"We enjoyed working closely with the wonderful team from William Santus and are delighted with the final product packaging; it display’s their vision, the extraordinary story and history perfectly.

"20p of every sale is kindly being donated to Armed Forces Charities and we sincerely hope it raises lots of valuable funds."

Celebrate safely with stay-at-home street party

So, on Friday decorate your homes; hold household front garden parties and join the nationwide planned events: 

11am: Pause for a 2-minute doorstep silence 

3pm: Churchill speech will be shown on BBC One

4pm: Enjoy Afternoon Tea; with scones, tea / coffee, cake and some Uncle Joe’s!

6pm: Raise a glass to your neighbours 

8pm: BBC One will show special programmes to honour the WWII generation with memories and music

9pm: The Queen will address the nation at the exact time her father, King George VI, made his radio address in 1945. 

Following this take part in a nationwide sing-along to wartime classic ‘We’ll Meet Again’ led by the 103-year-old singer Dame Vera Lynn herself.