Red, white and blue bunting gaily decorated The Street while Union Jack flags flew in many parts of the village. Cecil Bishop directed the operations, the church bells were rung and the bellringers included ex-prisoner of war Horace Boakes.
The most notable feature of the celebrations took the form of a decorated trolley that patrolled the village on which people appeared in fancy dress. These included Mrs. Joan Latter, Mr. Hamilton, Teddy Neame and members of their families. While Mrs. Latter played the piano on the trolley Mr. and Mrs Grigg and Mr. and Mrs Higgins made a collection for the Upchurch Welcome Home Fund. A total of £14/13/1d was collected from the watching spectators.
Later in the day Reverend Lightburne conducted a service in the church, Roy Rogers played the organ and a small orchestra participated. Members of the Parish Council, the Civil Defence and the police attended a packed service.
Children’s parties and victory teas were held in different parts of the parish. About 60 children attended a party in 'The Three Sisters' pub and were entertained with music and games after which every child was presented with a beaker bearing the flags of the allied nations and the famous V sign. They also received a red, white and blue bag with sweets and a new sixpence.
In The Street 58 children attended a party in the Infants school while In Oak Lane 24 children sat on Mrs. Burton's lawn where they were served with iced cakes and tea. Games and races in Ted Tress's orchard followed this. Afterwards the children were presented with a book, a pencil, a rubber, a shilling and a three penny piece.
At Gore Bank about 40 children sat down in Mr. Boakes’s orchard. After tea races took place and prizes that included a cockerel and eggs were presented to the winners. Every child received a token and sweets, babies were given a ball and money, older girls got a china beaker and money and older boys received a knife and money. A bonfire and fireworks followed this before Mrs M. Boakes presented prizes.
At Ham Green a victory tea took place in Mr. Hinge's meadow attended by about 40 children. Messrs Hinge, Holloway, Starnes and Howland gave gifts and money, Mrs Witherden gave strawberries and Mrs. Moon from Poot House gave cherries while Mrs Pat Atkinson from Webb’s Cottages looked after the children’s competitions. After races and games a bonfire with figures of former Nazi leaders Hitler and Goering sitting on top was lit and accompanied by fireworks. Street parties were also held throughout the parish where people sang, danced the hokey-cokey, performed the conga and ate and drank at decorated tables to celebrate the end of the war.
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Winston Churchill speaking in London summed up the VE Day celebrations when he said.
“In all our history, we have never seen a greater day. This is your hour. This is your victory.
It is not victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole.”
It is not victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole.”
About David
David Wood was born and raised in Upchurch and is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village. David's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + £3.50 postage and packing.
David Wood
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