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Swalwell Victory Celebrations. by Sheila Carver
On the night that peace was declared, the whole family went to Trinity Church for the thanksgiving service.
On VE day all of my family went to Holy Trinity Church for the Thanksgiving Service. All the church bells were ringing out at the same time. Before we left home for church Grandma gathered, all the family together. She said it would be a nice gesture if we would all climb on the bus and wish the Germans well. We all did with one exception, Auntie Betty. Grandma told her she was ashamed of her because her son was being returned safely to her. Grandma had always been kind to the prisoners, often giving them apples from the orchard. Most of them got out of their seats and embraced her, it was a moving sight.
The night all the bon-fires across England were lit my mother came and got me out of bed to watch from the window.
Later a Victory Day Celebration took place on the old cricket ground and my cousin Laura was the beauty queen. My Uncle George and my Grandfather did all the horses tails with ribbons.
I can remember a contest for lovely hair, a baby contest, fancy dress, tug of war and lots of others. I can still remember who won the prizes!