Crandon Springs Care Home, in Wells, honoured the 80th anniversary of VE Day with an afternoon filled with remembrance, music, and community spirit.

Residents, their families, and staff gathered to pay tribute to the end of World War 2 in Europe, sharing memories and celebrating peace. The afternoon began with a photo sharing session, where residents and guests reminisced over wartime photographs and recounted their experiences.

Music from the 1940s was played as musician Malcolm led a sing-along at the piano, with residents and guests joining in renditions of wartime classics.

To conclude the day, a 1940s-themed street party buffet was served, prepared by the dedicated chefs at Crandon Springs, with a glass of sparkling wine and cups of tea.

The photos of VE Day, reminded resident Christine of when she joined the celebrations in London’s Trafalgar Square 80 years ago.

Bill, who was 13 when the war ended, remembered feeling the excitement in the air, especially as he had a day off school. He recalled going out on a boating lake in Southport where he grew up, but wanting to get off the boat because he saw all the girls wearing `Kiss me quick` hats.

Robert, aged 100, was 20 on VE Day. He shared some sad and poignant memories as he recalled losing friends in the war and spoke about his role in helping to extinguish fires from the top of St John's Church in Glastonbury. When the sirens sounded, he would climb the church tower with buckets of sand in case of fires.

Crandon Springs general manager, Meg Cleal, said, "Today was a testament to the enduring spirit of our residents, to the love and support that helps people get through tough times, and the importance of remembering our shared history.”