Sandwiches, beer and a specially-baked cake marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day at a Gwynedd care home.
Residents at Pendine Park’s Bryn Seiont Newydd care home in Caernarfon, also enjoyed a rousing sing-song as they embraced the spirit of the 1940s and celebrated the anniversary of the end of World War II.
There were joyous scenes on VE Day May 8, 1945, after Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an announcement on the radio that the war in Europe had come to an end.
This emotional news spread like wildfire with millions of people taking to the streets dancing for joy and staging spontaneous parties in pubs, church halls and in the streets.
Staff at Bryn Seiont Newydd had decorated the lounge with bunting and Union Jack flags and residents were greeted with a glass of beer or wine as they arrived to the sound of wartime music.
Asked to cut the celebration cake retired engineer John Carson, 91, who lived in Llanberis before moving to Bryn Seiont said he vividly recalled VE Day.
“On VE Day there was a special tea and sports. I was a good runner in those days and I won several of the races and got a half crown (about 12p) for winning each one. That made me very happy.”
According to John, his father served in World War 1 but as a train driver he was in a reserved occupation on VE Day.
“He wasn’t home but that wasn’t unusual. He’d go to work and we didn’t know when he’d be back. Air riads would cause his trains to be shunted into sidings and he’d have to wait for hours. There was a lot more certainty after the war ended.”
A smiling Ethna Williams waved her 80th anniversary flag as she sang her favourite songs from the 1940s.
The 91-year-old, who was born in Dublin, spoke of her relief that the war had finally ended.
Ethna, who lived in the Holyhead area for many years, said: “I remember feeling a sense of happiness flowing over me when I heard the news and went straight out to celebrate.
“The war had gone on for a long time and there was no shame in going out that day.”
Enjoying his glass of beer Peter Brierly said there was great excitement on VE Day.
Peter, 92, from Criccieth, Gwynedd said he was at school in Manchester when news of the war ending came through.
“Someone heard the news on the radio and the news quickly spread and the teachers were very, very happy. They were smiling and crying at the same time.
“That was the end of the school day and we went home and there were street parties everywhere. My older brother was in the Army and we thought he’d be home straight away but that didn’t happen for several months,” he said.
Nia Davies Williams, Bryn Seiont Newydd’s musician in residence, led the sing-song which included favourites such as A Long Way to Tipperary, Pack up your Troubles, Run, Rabbit Run and We’ll Meet Again.
She said: “VE Day is an incredibly important milestone for many of our residents, and we’re keen to honour all those involved. It is important to remember VE day as the world would not be what it is today without the heroes of that time.
“Reminiscence activities such as this are a great way for older people, and those living with dementia, to connect with those around them and help maintain a sense of identity.”
