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Strood nan's VE Day celebration picture 75 years on from historic day

As we approach the 75th anniversary of when the Second World War ended in Europe, many people are still planning to celebrate to momentous day while in lockdown.

Residents in Medway will continue to commemorate VE Day while in the comfort of their own homes.

Sheila Elliott, from Strood, second from the left facing the camera. Picture: Ellen Norman
Sheila Elliott, from Strood, second from the left facing the camera. Picture: Ellen Norman

One woman who will be remembering the historic day is Strood nan Sheila Elliott.

The 87-year-old, who turns 88 later this month, was 12 years old when it was announced the war was over all those years ago.

Sheila and her family celebrated the news our soldiers were coming home with a street party in Temple Street, Strood, 75 years ago.

Her granddaughter Ayse Elliott said her nan was "still around to tell the tales" of the happy day, and that her favourite memory was how those celebrations "brought everyone together".

Sheila Elliott, from Strood, will be celebrating VE Day this Friday. Picture: Ayse Elliott
Sheila Elliott, from Strood, will be celebrating VE Day this Friday. Picture: Ayse Elliott

Medway Council has said it is doing a number of things to commemorate VE Day.

The local authority has launched a campaign encouraging people to create window displays to remember the historic day, whether this be drawings, paintings, or hanging bunting around the house.

It will also be posting a video on its social media channels for children teaching them about Medway during the Second World War.

Additionally the council's staff will be taking part in a two minute silence at 11am and is supporting a UK-wide sing-along to Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again at 9pm on Friday.

St Philip and St James Church, Walderslade, will be holding a service online on VE day at 6.30pm (Friday).

The service will include interviews with current Medway residents who remember VE day in Gillingham and Chatham and bible readings read by Wing Commander Peter Gilbert of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, and Deputy Lieutenant of Kent. Peter was once responsible for Camp Bastion.

You can find out more here.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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