VE Day 80
Thank you to everyone who came and helped us celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Community spirit was high and it was a wonderful way to commemorate such a special day.
Congratulations to Isabella Gent (10) who won our children’s Ration Book Bake Off competition with her delicious flapjacks, closely followed by Runner Up Ned Smart (3) with his chocolate biscuit cake. Well done Isabella and Ned!
All entries to the baking competition had to be made using ingredients typically available during wartime rationing. This proved to be a challenging task (with some mixed results!) and it brought home to us just how difficult even relatively simple activities could be during the war.
Local resident Marjorie, who turned 100 last August, kindly talked to us about her experiences in the Land Army during the war and brought along a collection of photographs which was a very special treat. Thank you Marjorie!
Stroud residents, Charlotte and Heather, did a fantastic job organising the children’s games. We talked about the different roles that people took on during the war, and included an activity where the children had to find a ‘wounded soldier’ in the woods who had parachuted out of his plane and needed assistance. The children had to administer medical aid and help him make his way safely back across the stream to the village hall. Well done children – you were fantastic! And a big thank you to local parent, Shaun, for his brilliant portrayal of our wounded soldier and for being such a good sport!
Trustee and Community Garden volunteer, Kat, helped the children to plant runner bean seeds to take home with them in a mini Dig for Victory inspired activity. The hope is that some of the children will bring their runner bean plants back in a few weeks time to plant in our new raised vegetable beds in the hall gardens.
The day was a real team effort and special thanks must go to:
Ms Jones, Headteacher, and Year Six pupils from Langrish Primary school who did a wonderful job running a sweet stall. Many of the pupils also entered the baking competition and all did brilliantly well with their ration inspired bakes!
Raspberry Arches Balloons for the kind donation of the stunning VE Day inspired balloon arch. It really added to the festive atmosphere.
Charlotte and Tom from Stroud Parish Council for all their help organising and helping out on the day.
And last but not least to all our amazing volunteers without whom the event wouldn’t have happened and helped to make VE Day 80 Stroud such a special event.
Guests mingle at the street party.
Trustee and Community Garden volunteer, Kat Wooton, helps local Langrish Primary School pupil Harper to plant a runner bean seed.
Children watch the VE Day celebrations in London.
Local resident Marjorie (100) shares memories of her time in the land army with friend and neighbour, Judith.
Judges decide on the winner of the Ration Book Bake Off. (From left to right), Tom, Maija and Heather (representing the Parish Council and the Stroud Evening WI), as well as Ms Jones, Headteacher at Langrish Primary school.
Stroud Village Hall – War Memorial
Entries into the Ration Book Bake Off competition!
Local children administer first aid to a wounded soldier.
Village Hall Trustees, Kat and Oliver, along with fellow resident Phillip, man the bar.
Party guests enjoy a traditional cream tea
Trustee and Community Garden volunteer, Kat Wooton, sets up her Dig for Victory activity.
