2020 is the 75th Anniversary of Victory In Europe day in 1945.

Following Adolf Hilter’s suicide on 30^th April 1945 his successor, Reichspresident Karl Donitz, head of the Fiensburg Government signed the act of military surrender at 02.41 on 7^th May in Reims.  A slightly modified document was signed on 8^th May in Berlin.

Thus war in Europe officially ended on 8^th May 1945 which was declared a National Holiday in Britain. Churchill ensured that there would be enough beer in London for the celebrations and red, white and blue bunting could be purchased all over Britain without using ration coupons.  Whilst thousands outside Buckingham Palace celebrated by calling for the King, Queen and Churchill to appear on the balcony, street parties were held all over Britain.

You can read about some memories of the VE Day celebrations in Weaverham in this post : VE Day

VE Day did not mark the end of the war.  This would come on VJ Day August 15^th 1945.  However, large numbers of our service men and women were demobbed allowing them to return to their homes and families.

To mark the 75^th anniversary of VE Day on 8^th May this year WCMO volunteers have sown a circle of wild flower seeds around the bush Wareham Russets at the Memorial Orchard (a community orchard for residents of Weaverham, Hartford and surrounding areas)..  We hope the flowers will appear by then as a memorial to all who served in the Second World War, large numbers of whom lost their lives.

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