ON THE 80th anniversary of VE Day, Wokingham In Need hosted a colourful tea party in the gardens of WADE Day centre on Reading Road.
Senior borough residents from care homes and friendship groups in and around Wokingham gathered together to remember and celebrate the end of war in Europe on May 8, 1945.
Traditional English picnic fare of sandwiches and decorated cakes was served to the more than 100 visitors by school children from Wokingham’s Windmill School, while musical entertainment was provided by female trio the Bailey Dolls, and 8TT4 Ukelele Band, both of whom performed wartime favourites with plenty of opportunities for sing-along fun.
Cheeky chappie Johnny ‘The Spiv’ jostled and joked with guests seated at tables that were garlanded with Union Flag bunting.
And artist and ambassador for WIN Peter Izod produced an art project for care home residents to take part in, and a striking VE Day celebration watercolour scene.
Pipe Major Ronald Patterson opened the proceedings, after which speeches of welcome were made by Wokingham In Need founder Sue Jackson, WADE Chair of Trustees Philip Mirfin, Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire Simon Muir, and WIN Deputy Chair David Lee.
Other special guests were: High Steward of Wokingham Lucy Zeal, Borough Council Mayor Cllr Adrian Mather, Town Council Mayor Cllr Rob Comber, Town Clerk Katy Hughes, MP for Wokingham Clive Jones, and Finchampstead Rotarian James Strugnell.
Sue Jackson thanked her Wokingham In Need team for their help during the event and in the months of planning beforehand that made the day possible.
She also thanked WADE trustees and staff for hosting, visitors and special guests whose attendance made the day special.
Philip Mirfin then remembered his own father who joined the 17th/21st lancers in 1941, having to learn to ride a horse before he could join his tank regiment.
A Tank Commander in North Africa, he was at the liberation of Greece, fought in Italy, and rounded up German prisoners of war in Austria before he was finally demobbed in 1946.
“Let us be thankful for the relative peace of the last 80 years and hope that sound minds ensure this continues for years to come,” Philip Mirfin said.
Simon Muir brought to mind the mixed emotions of the nation, during the first VE Day celebrations.
“Many, quite rightly, celebrated the end of hostilities on mainland Europe,” he said.
“But the war was not yet over, with fighting continuing in the far east – and many had lost relatives during the fighting.”
He then read the speech given by then prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, on May 8, 1945, that captured the mood of the nation.
David Lee ended the speeches with gratitude for the millions who fell, were wounded or lost, or who were forever scarred by WWII, in order that future generations would be able to enjoy peace, democracy and freedom.
Clive Jones brought his father, Tom’s, Royal Engineer WWII medals to the event.
Six of his uncles, and his father served in the war, and all of them survived.
“My dad joined the army in 1936 as a regular soldier at 18,” he said.
“He went on to become a sergeant, then a warrant officer, serving in North Africa, Italy, France, Germany and Austria, for a total of 22 years.”
Tom’s medals included a 39/45 star, Africa Star, Italy Star, France and Germany, 39/45 War Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct.
Lucy Zeal said how lovely it had been to celebrate VE Day with people, some of whom had actually lived through the moment, and Rob Comber added: “Although there aren’t many people left now who served in the war, there are still plenty whose parents did, and who can remember what it was like to be a child on VE Day.”
It was somehow fitting then to see children from Windmill School, Wokingham, and a couple of home-schooled families who dropped into the event, playing on the lawn, like children 80 years ago when the nation celebrated VE Day.
Poppy Bond, assistant head of Windmill School was overseeing the youngsters at the event.
“We’re so proud of our young people,” she said.
“They’re doing a wonderful job of serving people so well today.”
Adrian Mathers was humbled by the speeches.
“They have reminded us of the sacrifices made not only by those in the services but also by their families, during two terrible world wars.
“I want to see peace in our world, and hope that war can be avoided at all costs.
“80 years may sound a long time ago for us, but there are plenty of people here today who can remember VE Day as if it happened yesterday.”
WIN gratefully thanks sponsors: The Arts Council England, and Prospect Estate Agency, and supporters: TradeMark Windows, Wokingham Salvation Army, Emmbrook Village Hall, Coppid Beech Hotel, Alexandra Grange, and Grand Chauffeurs.
For information, visit: wokinghaminneed.com and wadecentre.org.uk
