Held on Thursday, 8 May, the event brought together guests and staff for a morning of fun followed by a Lindy dance performance, lunch and music to add to the atmosphere all in honour of the day the end of World War II was declared in Europe, following 6 long years of conflict.
Two of the older guests present shared their memories of what they were doing on that historic day in 1945, when news of Germany’s surrender brought relief and celebration across the nation.
Memories from two residents
Shirley Brown – a Flitwick resident (Bee Hive Day Centre, Silsoe)
Born in 1935 Shirley was aged 10 on VE Day 8 May 1945. She and her family lived in Harrow Weald an area that was frequently bombed. Her family slept in the shelter at night, so the two bedrooms upstairs were billeted to two serving women, one was in WRAF and the other in the ATS. Shirley’s memory of the day was running up the stairs to give them the news and tell them both that the war was over. She said her mum stayed in touch with one of the girls for many years after as she was like a member of the family.
Ron Finley – a Sandy resident (Willow Branch Day Centre, Biggleswade)
Ron lived in Welwyn in Kent with his family and was 10 when the announcement that “the war was over” came. He remembers that on VE Day they had a street party, and the children wore fancy dress with a prize for the winner. He dressed as a soldier from Africa and vividly remembers a woman who came dressed in a large towel and nothing else – as the “Order of the Bath”!
As there was no comedian his father put on a dress suit, climbed a lamp post, and kept sliding down to entertain the children and he also handed out sausages to all the children and that the parties went on all week after that.
On the day of the party Ron was proudly wearing his service cap at the party as he is a forces veteran having served in the Royal Army Medical Corp in Japan, Colombo, and Mauritius.
Keeping memories alive
Staff and volunteers expressed their pride in hosting the event, recognising the importance of keeping these memories alive for future generations.
Our Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Mark Smith, said:
Bringing our communities together to share this day means a great deal. It’s about remembrance, connection, and honouring the resilience of those who lived through those times.