Beacons were lit across the isle last night (May 8) the mark the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day.
At one minute past midnight on the 8th May 1945, hostilities with Nazi Germany officially ended and the guns across Europe fell silent. Celebrations took place all over the nation and the day is now officially marked as VE Day.
Beacon lightings took place in Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Westgate, Birchington and Minster. In Cliffsend issues meant a firepit was lit next to the beacon on Hugin Green.
In Margate the event was attended by mayor and mayoress Jack Packman and Karen Brinkman, joined by East Thanet MP Polly Billington.
Service cadets, veterans and the 1st Margate Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade also attended.
Some 80 Cliffsend residents also turned out for a celebration at the village hall for a fish and chip meal and music from the Greyhound Buskers.
The event was paid for by Cliffsend Parish Council and a donation from Jentex paid for the band.
The event was organised by resident and parish councillor Beryl Harrison who also created the three VE Day silhouettes in the village at Canterbury Road West, Baker’s Field and Chalk Hill.
The 86-year-old made and painted the silhouettes despite having had a broken arm and shoulder since December. The figures included one to represent the Land Army and another of a Red Cross nurse and well as those remembering animals lost in the war.
She said: “We had over 80 people for the fish and chips which was all paid for by the parish council. We also gave out 80 jacket potatoes to take home as during the war people were told to use potatoes instead of bread – until there was a potato shortage.
“The sad thing for me was that in the first week of the war 370,000 pets were euthanised because the government put out leaflets saying there wasn’t enough food for people and pets.”
Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council arranged a series of events to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day on 8 May culminating in an open air concert on Broadstairs seafront.
Earlier in the year, local school children were encouraged to produce art work and poetry to express their understanding of the historic event, and this was bound in presentation folders by Council staff. First to appreciate the children’s efforts were staff and residents at Maurice House. Town Mayor, Cllr Mike Garner accompanied town council staff and representatives of the school to the local care home exclusively for the Armed Forces Community where residents were impressed and charmed by the children’s empathy and understanding of the significance of the anniversary. Residents shared memories of their war-time experiences and the impression war had left on them.
Late on the evening of 7 May a VE day 80th Anniversary flag was flown at Pierremont Hall in readiness to mark the significance of the day itself and set the mood for a sombre day of refection. On the evening of 8th May crowds gathered at Broadstairs Bandstand last evening to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day.
They were treated to a fabulous programme of popular war-time music performed by the Thanet Concert Band, culminating in rousing renditions of Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia. Union flags were handed out to the children, and the bound books of artwork and poetry were on show for all to enjoy. During the band’s interval the crowds were entertained by the children of Bromstone Primary School who sang songs and read poems to mark the occasion.
The Town then followed the protocol followed by towns and villages across the country and stood to reflect on the lives lost and the millions who served across the world during the Second World War. Cllr Garner says “It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the music and reflecting on the significance of the day. We were pleased to welcome so many young people and our thanks go to all the schools who participated, to the Ramsgate and Broadstairs Sea Cadets and the 14th Broadstairs Scout Group who read the Tribute.”
The evening was rounded off with a beacon lighting on Viking Bay which was made all the more poignant by the projection of the Union Flag onto Bleak House.
At Treetops care home in Margate there was a wonderful celebration of the 80th year of VE Day. This poignant day is of huge significance with some of the residents being just mere children during the war.
A resident recalled” “When the noise stopped, you just had to hold your breath, and hope and pray that it didn’t land on you.
“The explosions were loud and scary”
Treetops displayed newspaper clippings and residents wrote down their accounts of war, bombing and evacuations.
They recalled: “We wore tags with an area code on it.”
“Most of us thought we we’re going on holiday.”
The home was decorated with flags, balloons and buntings. It was a day of remembrance, singing, food and laughter.
Residents enjoyed a special war themed lunch and a traditional afternoon tea party with the talented Marie Kelly singing songs such as “We’ll meet again”.
A staff member said: “The 80th VE day was a wonderful celebration but their vivid memories highlighted the difficulty in war and importance of community.”
There are more events celebrating VE Day this weekend at both Ramsgate and the Minster and Monkton RBL clubs.
More to follow
