80 years ago, people from all over South Somerset celebrated with different services and rituals of thanksgiving for Victory in Europe Day.
Here is a list of news stories from the Chard and Ilminster News paper, published on the week of Saturday, May 12, 1945.
Ilminster Joy
Bells, Flags and Gaiety.
Ilminster’s joy was given united expression through the voice of the bells, through reverent and very largely attended thanksgiving services, through decorations on a scale which was truly colourful and, in many instances, ingenious.
On Monday night there was community singing, to piano-accordion music, in the streets, till after midnight.
On VE Day, two fully attended thanksgiving services were held. One at the Mynster was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. G. G. Hickman and the other at the Methodist Chapel by the Rev. W. T. Hudd.
The Church bells were rung in the early morning and at intervals during the day.
On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, big crowds gathered in the Market Square for open air dancing to music provided by Mr. Morgan’s loud speaker, from his Cornhill office. This went on into the early hours.
During VE-night’s revelries thunder flashes were used. A practice incendiary bomb went through the window of Lloyd’s Bank but fortunately did little damage.
A bonfire was lit on Butts Housing Estate, the arrangements being made by Mr. R. T. Graham.
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Chard Thankful and Joyful
Victory Celebrations
Services, Fetes, Dancing
Chard soon became beflagged and festive when news of victory in Europe was received and real indeed was the note of thanksgiving running through the whole celebration.
Flags began to appear on Monday afternoon and by next day a “gay display” had developed throughout the town.
Among the numerous features may be mentioned the flags of United Nations on the Municipal Building, R.A.F. Squadron flags flown at Benghazi in 1940 and 1941 which appeared in the decorations of Messrs. Eastman’s shop window, the hugs Union Jack at the Liberal Club, given to the Club by centenarian W.T. Dominy, now deceased, to be flown on the occasion of victory.
The programme of celebrations included dancers on three successive evenings. These were crowded, while huge gatherings also congregated outside the Municipal Buildings (the front of which was colourfully lit up) on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and dancing and suchlike revelries were kept up in the brilliantly lit street until the early hours – such crowds and scenes have not been witnessed in Chard for many a day.
The assemblies for acts of worship and thanksgiving were large too. The united service on Cornhill an hour after the Prim Minster had broadcast the official announcement on Tuesday must have been joined in by nearly two thousand people, while well over a thousand attended services at St. Mary’s Furnham and Congregational Churches in the evening.
Broadway & Horton
VE-Day Rung In At Midnight
The voice of the bells of Broadway Church was heard at midnight on Monday and very large congregations were present at both Broadway and Horton Parish Churches for the Thanksgiving services on Tuesday, when the collections were for the devastated Churches of Europe.
Cows Listen In: Herd at Attention During King’s Speech
Donyatt - the centre of a community of industrious small-holders – saw a VE Day incident with little, if any, parallel.
It was a herd of cows listening in to the King’s speech and spontaneously “dismissing” at the end of it.
No sooner had Sub-Postmaster E. Harding taken his wireless set to the nicely kept little village Hall to relay His Majesty’s speech to the rejoicing parishioners than, to quote his own words to a “News” man, “the cows on the other side of the stream looked up, shook their heads and walked towards the Hall.”
Donyatt then saw something that none were other than impressed by. With a sturdy carthorse in the centre, the cows-constituting one of the village’s choicest herds – stood there, to again quote Mr. Harding, “with their heads up, in perfect line, during the whole of His Majesty’s speech. Directly the National anthem was played, they looked round, waked away and went on grazing.”
The author at the time added at the end of the article: “That is one of the scores and scores of little stories of the countryside’s way of celebrating Victory in Europe that “The News” could give you if paper was available.”
Wadeford VE Day Thanksgiving
An outdoor service of thanksgiving for victory in Europe was held at the foot of Combe Hill.
The service followed the lines of the one in Chard, with the addition of the hymn, “O God, our help in ages past.” The service was conducted by Mr. A. G. Bailey, who also gave a moving address.
After the blessing, all sang “God save the King.”
Knowle St. Giles
Huge Bonfire. - When the first brief statement concerning victory was announced on Monday evening, the folks living on Pinkham Farm started preparing to enjoy themselves.
The children built a colossal bonfire (which was ignited at 10pm on VE day), while the head herdsman, Mr George Croucher, climbed the cottages and fixed flags on the roofs.
Mr. J. Ashby also made an image of “Adolf”, which was burned in the bonfire.
A tea was provided afterwards by Mrs. Croucher and Mrs. Ashby for all who wished to attend.
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