Local business flying high after successful tea card revival

Local tea producers Butterworth and Son have released part two of their Airborne Over East Anglia collectors' tea cards, available exclusively in East of England Co-op stores from May until February 2017, following the picture card's successful revival last year.

East of England Co-op customers will find one of 25 collectors' tea cards in every pack of Butterworth and Son's award winning 'Suffolk Special Blend' and 'English Breakfast Blend'. Continuing the theme of aviation history, part two of 'Airborne Over East Anglia' contains scenes from 1940 to the modern day. Each is a reproduction of original artwork commissioned by Robert Butterworth Senior and painted by esteemed Suffolk artist, Geoff Pleasance. 

Kevin Warden, Local Sourcing and Fresh Product Manager for the East of England Co-op said:

"We were incredibly pleased with how successful the tea card collection was last year, and so were very excited to be able to work with Rob Butterworth Senior to bring our customers a second set of wonderful designs to add to their collection."

For those who simply enjoy a great tasting cuppa, Butterworth and Son tea is specially blended for the hard warer in our area. 

Rob Butterworth has a fascination with tea cards with a collection of many thousands of picture cards. As well as collecting the picture cards himself, he has also commissioned much bespoke artwork for use on tea cards. 

Rob Butterworth Senior commented: “Just like the East of England Co-op, Butterworth’s Tea is synonymous with quality. No filler (dust) or fibre (stalk) issued in our blends ensuring always the best tasting cup of tea.

“Since 1993 Butterworth tea bag boxes have included a collectable picture card, again always of a quality production. The subjects selected often have a local theme and are always of an educational, informative or entertaining nature.

“Our Airborne Over East Anglia series, thanks to our cooperation with the East of England Co-op, proved one of the most successful and highly sought after. We never cease to be amazed at the price complete sets, that canny Co-op shoppers have collected, sell for on internet sales sites. So get Butterworth’s Tea at the Co-op with an extra dividend in every packet!”

All the original artworks were created by Ipswich-based artist Geoff Pleasance whose lifelong fascination with aviation was sparked by a family trip to the Felixstowe Air Show aged seven. In 1969 he began work at the Imperial War Museum and in 1972 branched out to become a full time artist. Geoff, whose art is held in private collections around the world, has since completed in the region of 6,000 commissions working extensively with the USAAF and RAF.