Telford senior citizens share VE Day memories ahead of taxpayer-funded events
Memories of a momentous day 80 years ago came flooding back for Telford residents who were children on VE Day.
Events are being held across Shropshire to coincide with the anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe with Telford & Wrekin Council, and a host of town and parish councils, chipping in taxpayers' money in the borough.
For the 80- and 90-year-olds at Belmont Hall in Wellington it is a good way to remember the sacrifice of a generation, and the way that Brits came together on May 8, 1945.
The hall hosts regular lunches for the elder members of the community. The Local Democracy Reporting Service went along to meet some of them at a recent gathering.
They will reconvene for their big VE Day celebration this Friday afternoon (May 9).
Geordie-born Maureen Powell, aged 96, who wasn’t living in Wellington at the time, said: “We used to be on top of a hill and you could watch the German aircraft flying overhead.
“You could see the swastikas and sometimes even the pilots, and the anti-aircraft guns firing up at the planes.
“I can remember the excitement of VE Day; everybody went out and was singing and dancing. It was so exciting for everybody, the atmosphere was fantastic and people were hugging complete strangers.”
Mrs Powell, the widow of Belmont Hall founder Gerry, is the president of the prominent town centre venue.
She added: “The country was still at war against Japan at the time but this gives us a chance to remember.”
Mrs Joy Price, aged 94, who was a child in Coseley, in Staffordshire, said she recalls the memories of the war and VE Day “although it were yesterday".
A young teenager on the day, she recalls May 8, 1945, being brilliantly sunny when she went for a picnic to eat spam sandwiches and jam sandwiches, and drink ginger beer.
There was a huge party with a bonfire and she remembers George Evans playing an old harmonium.
“Boy, could he play,” she said. “We sang and danced and stayed up late.”
From the war she recalls seeing trains carrying wounded troops, the fires from the bombing of Coventry, and a time when “everyone was so friendly, nice, and showing Christian kindness".
She added: “It was a time of loyalty and pride.”
Mrs Price also remembers the impact the war had on some of the troops.
“I knew a man who fought across Africa, Italy and the Mediterranean,” she said. “He survived the war but he must have seen some dreadful things. He came back a changed man.
“We have to remember them.”
Mrs Alwena Evans, aged 85, now of Dawley, used to live above the National Provincial Bank in Hope Street, Wrexham. Whenever there was an air raid they would take shelter in the bank vault.
On VE Day, the street was filled and “there was a lot of rejoicing.”
Alwena’s husband Dewi Evans, aged 87, and also growing up in Wrexham, said: “I can remember the German planes flying over as they went to bomb Liverpool. I was a bit worried.
“The end of the war was a big relief for everybody. It is an important event to mark.”
A common memory is of rationing, which went on for years after the end of the war.
And when rationing ended they recall eating their first banana in many years. People would chop them up and share out the precious slices.
Mr Evans went on to join the Army with the Royal Army Pay Corps during his call up to National Service in the 1950s.
He served in Germany, attached to the Coldstream Guards, and got to see how Hitler’s war had devastated the former enemy’s country.
Belmont Community Hall, at Tan Bank, Wellington, will be hosting a VE 80th Day lunch this Friday, May 9. It will include Bridgnorth teenage singer Macy O, and a film of VE Day celebrations.
Telford & Wrekin Councillor Stephen Handley (Labour, St George’s) is also the coordinator and treasurer at Bellmont Hall. He helped secure a VE Day match-funded grant of £285 from Telford & Wrekin Council to organise the event.
He said it would help pay for free meals and entertainment, which includes a 35-minute film of VE and VJ (Victory in Japan) celebrations.
Telford & Wrekin Council has compiled a list of some of the VE Day celebration events still to take place across the borough.
Veterans Lunch, Donnington Community Hub - May 8, 11.30am-1pm. Call 01952 382202 to book a meal: more information available at https://orlo.uk/L1gtM
Great Dawley Street Party – red, white and blue theme, free attraction and activities with live music and entertainment, Dawley High Street - May 10, 11am-3pm. No need to book, just turn up. Learn more at https://orlo.uk/nmnVD
Special Armed Forces Community Café event and Beacon lighting Dawley House, 22 Burton Street, Dawley - Thursday, May 8
Entertainment and street party Wellington Market Square - Saturday, May 10
Parents Opening Doors Hub, 1 Hawksworth Road, Central Park, Telford has a number of events:
Crafts for parents and carers – Thursday, May 8, 10am-11.30am: suggested donation of £5
Family Fish and Chip Bingo – Thursday, May 8, 6pm-7.30pm: suggested donation of £6
Cake decorating for parents and carers – Friday, May 9 10-11.30am: suggested donation £5
Craft Session and Tea Party - Saturday May 10, 11am-1pm: suggested donation Adults £5/children £3
Other events:
Celebration event for residents 65+, Arleston Community Centre, St. Giles Close, Arleston - May 10
VE Day Memorial Bench opening and refreshments, Meeting Point House green space - Thursday, May 8, 11am-1pm: bench reveal at 11.30am
Community day and entertainment The Anstice, Anstice Square, Madeley - Saturday, May 10
Mounting photographs on a permanent display of the men listed on the Lychgate killed in the Second Word War, The Lychgate, All Saints Church, Wellington - Thursday, May 8
Beacon Lighting at St Nicholas Church, Newport - Thursday, May 8, 9.15pm (ceremony, 9.30pm)
Street Party in Newport High Street - Saturday, May 10, 10am-2pm: https://orlo.uk/dijQ7
Oakengates Picnic in the Park event with live music, outdoor games, charitable stalls, and face painting, Hartshill Park - Saturday, May 10, 11am-3pm. No booking required, turn up on the day. Find out more on Facebook or the Oakengates Town Council website
Telford and Wrekin Interfaith Council will be holding activities at Telford and Wrekin Interfaith Community Hub, 19 New Street, Wellington
Culturekind Chinese Community VE Day 80: From War to Peace & Unity at E4 Stafford Park 15 - Saturday, May 10. Learn more at https://orlo.uk/tkcay
