Portchester cul-de-sac to be transported back in time in VE Day anniversary celebrations

Residents in Newtown have been decorating their street in Union Jack flags and bunting to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the formal surrender of Nazi Germany.

To mark the occasion, as well as listening to a rerun of Winston Churchill’s famous speech, residents will also be dressing in 1940s costume, listening to classic songs from the era and hosting family tea parties in front gardens.

Karen Lever, 47, who helped decorate the street, said: ‘It’s very sad that due to coronavirus we can’t celebrate the event as planned. However, it’s incredibly important to still celebrate this day and remember the sacrifices made by past generations.’

With a number of elderly residents on the street, such as 86-year-old Mick Toon who remembers VE Day, Karen thought it was particularly important to mark the historic occasion.

‘Along with my husband, Steve, and son, Nathan, we’ve decorated their houses and also provided them with a picnic of homemade scones and cakes,’ she said.

Marilyn, 72, and Ray Barnes, 74, have been living on the street for almost 50 years.

‘It’s such a shame that lots of events have been cancelled,’ said Marilyn. ‘At least we’re able to do something. We need to remember those we lost and say thank you

‘As with the war effort, Karen feels the adversity of the pandemic has brought communities together.

‘In a roundabout way I feel more people are now looking out for each other,’ she said.

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