Banbury turns back the clock to VE Day 1945
08/05/2025
Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Keiron Mallon, sported a Churchillian look for the street party
Hundreds of people turned out for a street party in Banbury’s High Street as part of the town’s VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations.
The VE Day Union Flag was hoisted above the town hall ahead of 300 schoolchildren and care home residents sitting down to enjoy a lunch at tables and chairs which lined the road, much as happened at VE Day street parties back in 1945.
Nostalgic crooner Beau Norton provided music for the occasion with children from St Mary’s and Wroxton Schools and local singer Leigh Chambers also performing. Orchard Fields pupils also took to the stage to read a poem.
Within the High Street a variety of vintage military vehicles were on display along with opportunities to play traditional games and take part in craft activities.
Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Keiron Mallon, sported a Churchillian look for the street party. He felt today’s event was important in helping keep alive for future generations the fight for freedom which was undertaken during the second world war.
Councillor Mallon told Banbury FM: “I wish through the educational system they did more to remind the children, or educate the children, or to get them to understand, not just the significance of the world wars. In this country we’ve also had conflicts, wars and peacekeeping tours every year since the end of the Second World War. Nowadays it seems that some of the kids don’t get the significance. They’re not taught it.
“So by events like today, by explaining it to them, by them coming up and talking to people like me and some of the veterans here, afterwards they start to get an inquisitive mind. Hopefully they’ll go off and look for themselves and read up on what it’s all about.”
Before today’s street party a wreath-laying service was held at the People’s Park War Memorial.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
