VE Day 75
2020 Ashford Remembers: VE Day 75
8 May 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, which was celebrated in the light of Coronavirus with a weekend of online activities from Friday 8 May to Sunday 10 May 2020.
VE Day Photographic Exhibition
Before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, we asked people to submit their photos for an 'Ashford in the Second World War' photographic exhibition. This has been turned into an online project.
The exhibition gives an insight into what life was like in Ashford in the Second World War including national and local photographs of Ashford's 1945 VE Day celebrations. This exhibition can be viewed in the window below.
Thank you to the following individuals and organisations that supplied images and information to enable us to put together this exhibition:
- Ashford Borough Museum
- Robin Britcher
- Hothfield History Society
- Smarden Local History Society
- Tenterden and District Local History Society
- The Imperial War Museums
Digital photo exhibition
Home Front Posters [pdf] 6942KB
A message from the Mayor
The Mayor of Ashford, Councillor Jenny Webb, sent a message to residents.
VE Day Poems
Listen to a commemorative poem, VE Day by Angela Whybrow, read by Cpl Prior from the Ashford Squadron ATC of the Royal Air Force Cadets. Read transcript of VE Day poem [pdf] 407KB.
Listen to a commemorative poem, Unmentioned in Dispatches by Peter Wyton, read by Cpl Woolacombe from the Ashford Squadron ATC of the Royal Air Force Cadets. Read transcript of Unmentioned in Dispatches poem [pdf] 386KB.
Remembering the fallen
The following videos were created by local resident Ian Wolverson.
The first video remembers air force personnel from around the world who flew from the RAF Ashford base (where Chilmington is now situated) who sadly lost their lives during World War Two.
The video below remembers local residents who sadly lost their lives during World War Two.
'Stay at home' street parties
Many residents held their own 'stay at home' street parties over the weekend of 8-10 May, decorating their houses and windows with red, white and blue bunting.
Below are some images, from left to right we have: A dog posing in front of Union Jack bunting in Wye, SSgt Ethan Jeffrey and also Lance Corporal Finch from the Ashford Detachment Senior Cadets observing the two minute silence on VE Day.
From left to right below we have: Arcon Close decorated for VE Day celebrations, residents in Bethersden handing out goodie bags through their Nominate a Neighbour scheme, and VE Day signage that was set-up at the Community Wheelbarrow in Clap Hill, Aldington.
