Halesworth marks the 80th Anniversary of VE Day

Hundreds of residents lined the Thoroughfare for Halesworth’s VE Day Street Party. The town was decorated with flags, VE Day window displays and the street was lined with tables. The day started off with a special service at St Mary’s Church which was live streamed online. This was attended by the Halesworth Royal British Legion, county and town councillors and the Suffolk Phoenix brass band. Residents then joined the street party in the Thoroughfare, armed with their picnics, their singing voices and a whole lot of good cheer.

Guests from Beech House Residential Home, Halesworth Volunteers and The Royal British Legion also joined the party and a rather special guest – Norman Webb, 92, from South London who was present at the original VE Day celebrations. The Holton Airfield Museum, the Halesworth & District Museum and another local history group were an important part of the day with their impressive displays of World War II memorabilia including rifles, medals and vehicles, attracting much attention and many visitors.

The Suffolk Phoenix Brass Band stole the show with their incredible musicians, creating a wonderful atmosphere in the Thoroughfare. The Offcut Singers with Vetta Wise on piano had everyone waving their flags and singing along to many familiar tunes – Vera Lynn proving very popular. The music was finished off by the talented Station House Strummers who treated the crowds to more jolly tunes.

The sun shone all afternoon and their was a tremendous sense of community spirit in the town – a wonderful way to come together to celebrate the important 80th anniversary of VE day.