HUNDREDS of people attended the event on Wells Cathedral Green on May 8 to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The event was organised by Wells City Council, St Cuthbert (Out) Parish Council and the Royal British Legion.
There was music from Wells City Band, the reading of an official Tribute that was spoken across the country, a proclamation from Town Crier Len Sweales, and two-minute silence.
As part of the national beacon-lighting commemoration, a beacon was lit in front of the Cathedral’s West Front by the Mayor of Wells, Jasmine Browne.
Somerset schoolchildren at schools within The Partnership Trust, a multi-academy trust, took part in activities on May 8 to mark VE Day. Horrington Primary School near Wells held a two-minute silence followed by a celebratory lunch with a VE Day theme of decorated tables and 1940s music.
At Crandon Springs Care Home in Wells, the 80th anniversary of VE Day was honoured with an afternoon filled with remembrance, music, and community spirit.
It began with a photo sharing session, where residents and guests reminisced over wartime photographs and recounted their experiences. The home then resonated with the melodies of the 1940s as musician Malcolm led a spirited sing-along on the piano, and everyone joined in renditions of wartime classics.
At the end of the day residents and guests were treated to a 1940s-themed street party buffet, with a glass of bubbly to top it off (or a cup of tea if preferred).
The photos of VE Day reminded resident Christine of when she joined the celebrations in London’s Trafalgar Square 80 years ago.
Robert, who is aged 100, was 20 on VE Day. He recalled losing friends in the war and talked about his role helping to extinguish fires from the top of St John’s Church in Glastonbury – when the sirens sounded he would climb the church tower with buckets of sand in case of fires, and from his high viewpoint he could often see bombers flying up the Channel and fires in Bristol.
Another 80th anniversary event took place at the Swan Hotel in Wells on May 5, which included memorabilia, models and Second World War stories of Wells residents.
There was also an opportunity to meet and talk to Wells residents Aubrey Prutton, aged 99, and Margaret Armstrong, aged 92, and hear their memories of the Second World War.
This event was organised by Maria Gregg of Wells Royal British Legion, who thanked Margaret and Aubrey, and paid tribute to the staff at the Swan Hotel for their help.