CARE home residents' memories of VE and VJ Day celebrations in Cricklade feature in a new book.
Bessie Hodges of The Lakes Care Centre in South Cerney recalls having a street party to celebrate with sports activities and sandwiches and cakes.
She said: “The gas street lamps were turned on when it started getting dark but because we were not used to them being on due to blackout restrictions myself and some of my friends shimmied up the lamp posts and turned them off. We got into a lot of trouble!”
Joan Kirkman recalled the moment she listened to the announcement on their wireless until the battery ran out. She said: “On VE Day we all dressed up; I was a bride, along with my little sister. There was a big street party, it was good fun.”
Cricklade Historical Society member Marion Parsons produced the book to raise money for Cricklade Open Door and the Cricklade branch of The Royal British Legion.
To buy a copy, contact Marion on 01793 750542 or mfparsons071@btinternet.com
The residents at the care home run by The Orders of St John Care Trust will be taking part in a two-minute silence on Remembrance Sunday.
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