VEDay2 | Stoke Sunday History

VE Day 2025 - Part Two

What an amazing exhibition of photos Mandy put up this week on the fence outside our primary school. But what is even more amazing is that we have the memories and the photographic records to include all those people who served in World War 2. I doubt whether many other British villages could do the same.

But who remembers the celebrations in 1995? I remember driving Sue Hembrow's father, Eric, round the village and he made a mental note of all the houses where those who had served had lived. He then visited the families and obtained photos that we copied and printed off for an exhibition in the old Williams Hall. No digital cameras then - copy stand with a bellows on a Pentax and then off to Truprint!

And then the street party . . . .

You will recognise these two (HV & SH) deciding how and where to hang the bunting

And Roy Keirle & Nick Limm bringing up the plants.

Stoke Players put on a display sketch of St George and the Dragon, but Vicar Christopher seems to be negotiating with the beast rather than slaying it. A bit like he did with his dog Fritz ("Please don't pull, Fritz.").

Siobahn and Matt were still together, and Kath Bennatto was the brilliant Landlady of the Oak

That year the school Maypole dancing took place in the Square. I think that's Charlie Limm looking up by the flagpole, but that has to be Simon H doing his stuff with the ribbons? Who are the others?

Ross Young leading the singing

And who are all these people? Is that our local builder in the black and white check?

And then there was the dance in the club room in the evening. Does anyone have any photos of that? Don't look on your phone, No digipics then . . .