V E Day 80 – Thank you

All OfUsEvents

We live in an iconic place and even more so when considering we were the ‘frontline’ village during WW2, the Cliffs and village were commandeered by the Ministry of Defence and so many villagers displaced. We came together yesterday to remember this and all those allied forces who fought for our future, those that lost their lives and all those at home who worked hard with the ‘war effort’.

Yesterday was a day for reflection, remembering and celebration. Standing alongside the Royal British Legion in the Church and down in the Bay was a privilege and a proud moment for all of us.

Of course, none of the events and special moments would not have been possible without our VE Day 80 Working Party, volunteers, St Margaret’s Church, the Church Choir, The Coastguard Pub, The Kiosk, The Royal British Legion, Mark Spratt, our wonderful Bugler (and what a moment that was – the Last Post across the Bay as the moon shone!), St Margarets Players, Lissie Lark (our 1940s singer who gave so much more!), the military and wartime vehicles and of course the Beacon (the pressure of lighting that at an exact time…..with a burst of flames – brilliant!). The Parish Council has so many people to thank for such a beautiful evening.

Not forgetting, all our local businesses who joined in with bunting and VE Day fare! So special that the village came together to remember!

The photos give you a sense of the day and evening!

So, a massive thank you to……………

  • Tracy, Darryl and Jamie Wickham, Heidi and Paul Mitchell, Lisa Smith, Orla Checksfield and Barry Fulford (our VE Day Working Party). Allen Head and Chris Little (for Beacon manoeuvring)

  • Alan Birch and The Royal British Legion

  • St Margaret’s Church and Choir (for Ringing the Bells of Peace)

  • Stephanie Ford and her helpers for the magnificent flower arrangements in the Church

  • The Cubs and Scouts

  • The Craft Club – for the bunting and Post Box Topper

  • John Ford – for the solders lining the beach

  • The Coastguard Pub (providing the main venue for the Lighting of the Beacon and super fish and chips and service!)

  • The Kiosk (for extending hours and providing much needed hot drinks!)

  • The Hardings (for first aid and fire safety)

  • Lissie Lark (for a great 1940s lead up to the Beacon)

  • St Margaret’s Players and Guests (for a singalong)

  • Mark Spratt, Bugler

  • Mark Cheeseman The Military Vehicles

  • Dover Transport Museum – for the wartime cars

  • Jamie Wickham – for designing and creating a new ‘shield’ for VE Day to go on his Beacon

  • The ‘Bunting Bunnies’ who decorated the bus shelters and bay

AND MOST OF ALL – OUR VILLAGE FOR SUPPORTING THE EVENTS, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS PRETTY COLD BY THE TIME WE GOT TO THE BEACON LIGHTING!

Photos will follow and they are wonderful and worth waiting for