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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.

Mayor-Making was the main item on the agenda of the Town Council meeting on 12th May. Town crier Marion Lowe introduced proceedings with a flourish, and then the annual change of Mayor took place. Outgoing Mayor John Dinnie proposed Tony Booth as his successor. The nomination was unanimously supported by all members of the council. Cllr Booth then read his declaration of office, and the mayoral chain was duly handed over. The next step was the appointment of the Deputy Mayor, and the nomination of Cllr Richard Walters was again accepted unanimously.

Tony Booth has lived in Shipston for over 20 years. An RAF baby born in Lincolnshire, Tony was educated mainly in Stratford. He and his wife Jane moved to the town from Buckingham and have brought up four children here. Emily, James, Oliver and Maria all attended Shipston High School and Jane works at Kitebrook School.

Tony, who works in procurement for Jaguar Land Rover, has always given his time to volunteer in the town. He has been Scout Leader, taking over from Dave Wright, as well as a Youth Leader. The First Responders is a cause close to his heart, and he has volunteered with these vital local lifesavers for 13 years.

Tony has chosen Shipston Youth Club as his main charitable cause to support its ongoing efforts to find a permanent home, and will also support the Royal British Legion for their continuing work with veterans in this landmark year.

The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day is marked on 8th May. As it is such a momentous moment in our history, the museum is opening its doors for this special occasion and invites you to see their special Shipston Remembers display.

The collection recognises local people, from the Women’s Land Army to the Royal Flying Corps and the Home Guard. The cabinets include memorial plaques, medals, and civil defence
leaflets. One highlight is the rare example of a Royal Flying Corps tunic, the uniform prior to the RAF. Not surprisingly this is fragile since it was last worn over 100 years ago. Items such as this are too delicate and precious to touch, but there are also some ‘handling’ items like the VE Day and D-Day newspapers to look at and some ration books, war food recipes and cards. All are reproductions and touchable!

Trustee Stephen Hartley says: ‘Eighty years ago the United Kingdom and its allies from around the globe celebrated VE Day – the end of the war in Europe. People from Shipston and the local district contributed to that existential effort. On Thursday, 8th May 2025 we come together to commemorate what came to be known as VE Day, and our thoughts turn to thanksgiving and remembrance of those millions that gave so much to achieve the freedom that we all enjoy today.'

Shipston & District Museum is usually open weekends from 12 noon-4pm at Old Clark House, West Street, set back from the Council offices. You are especially welcome to call in on VE special open day on 8th May from 12 noon-4pm.

Shipston’s Great Big Green Week  takes place from  7th June - 15th June

Saturday 7th June

• Teddy Bears’ Picnic, 12 noon-2pm, at the Scout Hut and Little Recreation Ground CV36 4AW.

After the usual monthly litter pick, Great Big Green Week will begin with a community Teddy Bears Picnic. It’s free to attend – just bring your own picnic and a teddy.  Plant-based picnics free of single-use plastics are encouraged.  Contact SAFE (see below) for some tasty picnic suggestions and recipes.

Music will be provided by the Ukulele group  and there will be a plant/seed swap - feel free to bring some along.

Dress up your teddies in their finest homemade outfits – there will be a prize for the best dressed bear. If wet, the picnic will be in the Scout Hut.


• Free film. The Age of Stupid. 7pm for 7.30pm, at the Scout Hut CV36 4AW

This film from 2009 starring Pete Postlethwaite is part drama, part documentary and part animation. It is set in the year 2055, in a world devastated by rising sea levels and various natural disasters; an archivist examines videos from 2008 to understand why humans didn’t stop climate change before it was too late. Sixteen years later, are we any wiser?
Refreshments will be available, and the film starts at 7.30 pm.

• Fashion show and competition, 2- 4pm, at St Edmund’s Church, Shipston.

Using clothes that are second-hand, home-made or from charity shops.
Children will be signed up either through the primary school, the youth club or the High School. Two age groups: Under 10 and 10-15, plus a couple of surprises!

Two categories: Smart and Casual

Sunday 15th June

• River Day 10am-12 noon Bridge Car Park, Shipston CV36 4AW

There will be a Blessing of the River Stour by Shipston’s Druid, Martin Russell to help us celebrate our river, now and in future.
There will also be music and an opportunity to try some citizen science. You can learn how to test the river water, and how to check for invertebrates using the kick sampling method.

• Free ‘Wild Forage Walk’ by Katie Beswick, starting at 1.30pm outside her shop, Little Bird Soaps in the alleyway next to Telegraph Street car park. CV36 4AF

For more information or for help in taking part, please contact Verity on 07929 889091 who will put you in touch with the leaders of each event.

The Scout Hut was a hive of activity on Easter Saturday as children decorated special biscuits, showed off their Easter bonnets, and searched for the cuckoo in the nest.

As usual it was the Rotary Club who made the magic happen, and the organisation has extended its heartfelt thanks to Shipston MidCounties Co-op and Margaret Gill for their kind sponsorship, as well as to Mayor John Dinnie for judging the Easter bonnet competition.