Lee-on-the-Solent family wins VE Day picture competition

With this year’s commemorations restricted due to Covid-19, residents in Lee-on-the-Solent were asked to decorate their houses and businesses in recognition of the landmark event.

The Tribbeck family has won the the Lee VE Day competition with a collage of pictures. These include photos of their home and the gravestone of mum Kerry’s grandfather who fought in the conflict, as well as a picture of searchlights forming a ‘V’ shape.

After the ‘amazing win’, Kerry said: ‘With everything being so different this year it was nice to be together and still feel part of the community.

‘We got our watercolour paints out and that’s what we came up with. Joshua painted up some bunting and we had a big party in the garden and had a lovely day.’

Son Matthew, nine, said: ‘It was more special because my mum’s grandad was in the war.’

The competition was organised by Lee resident, Jonathon Moore, who said he was ‘proud and grateful’ Lee VE75 brought the community together.

He added: ‘Seeing everyone celebrate in their gardens was amazing. Covid-19 has brought some positivity. I think the community has come together and the high street will thrive more.’

Cllr Graham Burgess and Cllr John Beavis from Gosport Borough Council supported the initiative.

After announcing the winner, Cllr Beavis said: ‘This picture struck us straight away, it absolutely captured everything. Gosport is very proud about the way it has come together and the amount of effort people have put in.’

Cllr Beavis said he chose the ‘V’ picture as the winning photo due to depicting the searchlights.

Lee Business Association representative, Mark Bennett, said: ‘It’s important to celebrate what Jonathon has achieved with this competition. We have a beautifully decorated high street and we would like to keep it that way.’

Additionally, £350 raised by performers in a virtual VE Day street concert will be donated to the NHS.

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