To commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe, the Shipston Branch of the Royal British Legion participated in various activities throughout the day, in collaboration with the Town Council and the Stour Valley Lions.

The day began at 8am with a proclamation in the High Street by the Town Crier. This was followed by a small ceremony at the Gyratory Memorial Garden, where the VE Day flag was raised. Speeches were delivered by the Mayor, John Dinnie, and the President of the Shipston branch of the Royal British Legion, David Kernohan, with wreaths laid at the memorial by vice chairman Nick Wilkes.

At 3pm there was a gathering in the High Street to listen to Winston Churchill’s 1945 address to the nation, marking the end of the war in Europe. This was swiftly followed by the judging of the Best Dressed Shop Window competition, keenly contested by 30 shops. The winner was ArchiWildish, with judges noting, ‘Everyone had made a big effort, but the judges felt that the winners, the Brownies and Rainbows, had put a great deal of imagination, time, and enthusiasm into making their window stand out. The pictures and bunting were all very carefully cut out and coloured in, and the Union flags made a striking impression. The judges all commented on the fantastic planes, which looked very realistic and had obviously been made with great thought and care.’

A small presentation to the winner was conducted by the SRBL secretary Alistair Watkins and treasurer Gary Downs, during which a VE Day 80 commemorative ‘Tommy’ was presented to Mark and Diane Wildish.

The SRBL hosted a party at the Low Furlong Car Park, where a 1940s singer provided entertainment, supported by Nice Bites, Wild Things, and the Coach and Horses, who supplied refreshments.

The day culminated at 9.30pm with the lighting of the Beacon.  Read the June edition of the Forum for full coverage of all the events and TV interviews that took place.