Forties-style celebrations held for VE Day

The city’s Lord Provost travelled back in time to take part in a 1945-style tea party to commemorate 70 years since VE Day.

Wx-RAF man Darren Hogg joined in the celebrations with resident Moira Currie, aged 9.9 to mark VE Day. Picture: Neil Hanna

Lord Provost Donald Wilson joined residents of the Erskine Edinburgh Home as they observed a two-minute silence and enjoyed cocktails, bunting, war time artefacts, dancing and live music from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s.

Councillor Wilson also brought a “memory boxW of Second World War artefacts gathered from the council’s People’s Story Museum to help residents reflect on their memories of May 8, 1945.

The box included a scrapbook tracing the Blitz to VE Day, propaganda posters, ration books and National Identity cards.

Erskine has been caring for Scotland’s ex-service men and women for almost 100 years – with the purpose-built Edinburgh Home in Gilmerton, which houses 76 elderly residents, opened in November 2001.

Speaking ahead of yesterday’s event, Councillor Wilson said: “I am really looking forward to hearing stories from Edinburgh’s ex-service men and women about that joyful day in 1945.

“It turned the direction of history and changed these residents’ lives so much. Victory in Europe Day was celebrated all over the country and in Edinburgh there were scenes of street parties in Stockbridge and throngs of people along Princes Street.

“I hope the artefacts from the council’s People’s Story Museum stir up some fond memories for the residents. They very much deserve this 1940s feast from the fantastic staff at Erskine.”

Nicola Sturgeon marked the 70th anniversary of the end of the war by laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in London yesterday to pay tribute to those who died in the conflict.

The Queen, senior members of the Royal Family, the military and other dignitaries also attended the commemorative service.

Ms Sturgeon said the country would “never forget those who have, and continue to, lay down their lives in conflicts.”

She added: “I am honoured to represent the people of Scotland at the Cenotaph and service in Westminster Abbey, and pay my respects to those who served so valiantly in World War II, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice.

“This ceremony and national service of thanksgiving are rightly focused on remembering those who served, lived and died protecting our freedoms and way of life.

“Those brave souls from Britain, the Commonwealth and beyond who were so selfless in their actions freeing the peoples of Europe from tyranny will never be forgotten.”

Prime Minister David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg appeared together in Whitehall for the 70th anniversary of VE Day commemorations.

Mr Miliband and Mr Clegg joined the Prime Minister to lay wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph in honour of those who died fighting in the Second World War.

Boris Johnson – the mayor of London and new Conservative MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip – also attended the event.