Epsom and Ewell's memories of VE Day

After nearly six years of war, the people of Britain celebrated the declaration of peace in Europe after the Germans surrendered to the Allies.

In the borough, it brought street parties, decorations, a victory parade and more.

A street party held in Bradford Drive, Ewell, on VE Day

Frank Tipping and Pam Cook were children living in Epsom and Ewell when peace was declared.

Bourne Hall Museum interviewed them 15 years ago when it put together a comprehensive exhibition on World War Two.  

Here are their memories...

Frank Tipping from Epsom, said: "We had street parties. We got all sorts of things, cotton and stuff, and dyed them red, white and blue to make bunting.

"We had this big party, and gave prizes to the kids for running up and down. That was VE Day.

"There were street parties for VJ Day too, but when the Japanese lot was finished it wasn’t half so exciting as the European lot, because we were so far removed from it."

Children celebrate VE Day in Chestnut Avenue, Ewell 

"We had mainly sausages, and cheese if we could get hold of it. Everybody had to do what they could and make cakes and that. It’s surprising what you can do on rations.

"There was a bit of an argument. One of the former mayors of Epsom - he was a bus driver, Tom Holland - he reckoned he had the best street party of the lot, but I said it wasn’t a patch on ours."

Pam Cook, from Ewell, said: "I remember at the end of the war, Dad took me down to the top of Upper High Street to see lights switched on for the first time.

"I remember the bonfire on victory night up on the hill on the Downs.

"There was a procession up Ashley Road. I remember the Scouts with torches. We stood by Nightingale’s stables at the top of Chalk Lane to see it. Then they had fireworks."

The victory parade in Epsom town centre on VE Day 

Maureen Batts, 82, of the Wells Estate, in Epsom, was 14 when peace was declared.

She attended a ceremony at Westminster Abbey, alongside veterans and the Royal Family, on Sunday to mark VE Day, and was also interviewed by the BBC for a documentary on evacuees.

Having been evacuated during the war, Mrs Batts said she enjoyed a street party back at home in London, in Raynes Park, on VE Day.

She said: "There were big street parties. The food had been rationed since 1939 so the rations have been saved up so there was lots to eat.

"It was just so exciting to see the food and all be together.

"It made us strong."

Mrs Batts said it was nice to be invited to Westminster Abbey as she feels "the Government doesn’t acknowledge us evacuees - they never remember us".

A street party held in Worcester Park on VE Day on May 8, 1945

A school which has started a living history project asked former students to share their memories of VE Day.

Peter Harris, principal of Ewell Castle School, said: "We’re delighted with the response.

"The stories uploaded to the Old Ewellians’ section of the website are very moving and offer a glimpse into an almost bygone era, when mend and make-do, along with personal sacrifice was often the norm."

The stories and photos, which include one of a street party held in Worcester Park, have been shared with current pupils.

Epsom's mayor visited a care home 

Priory Court Care Home, in Epsom, marked the day with entertainment from a professional 1940s trio, The Three Belles, food and a visit from Epsom mayor Councillor Robert Foote.