VE Day 75th anniversary

It wasn’t quite the broad series of events that the VE Day 75th anniversary committee had initially planned. There were no street parades nor parties, no tea dance, nor band playing 1940s swing music. There wasn’t a village fête, nor coconut shy, no throw-a-wet-sponge-at-a-councillor stalls and no kids’ sack-race. That said, considering the challenges raised by social distancing and generally trying to stay safe, the good people of Probus did what they could to remember this important anniversary.

Overnight, flags and bunting appeared to decorate houses. Plans for street parties were changed to become front-garden parties, some people dressed up, and a few fabulous 1940’s hairstyles appeared. Glasses were raised, cream teas consumed, and various sing-a-longs organised. We dug out WW2 medals, memorabilia and family treasures, opened old biscuit tins filled with fading black and white photos of long-gone grandparents, parents and other relatives in uniforms. We shared family stories of bravery, suffering and endurance with a younger generation, and most importantly, we spent the time to reflect, talk about and remember the sacrifices made by the wartime generation.

Tregony View

Finally, just as it was getting dark, Ross Denning of Trenithon Chancellor Farm set light to the village beacon on behalf of all the residents of the Parish of Probus. We remembered. Well done, Probus.

Sophia Best’s fabulous looking cream tea

Trish Doble

Sylvia Reid

The Moore’s of Probus

Sue and Roger Fortescue

The Probus Beacon alight

Paul Ashby Johnson www.paulashbyjohnsonphotography.co.uk

Ellie Beaumont

Silvia Bishop