March Museum With Peter Wright

Victory in Europe Street Party

by Peter Wright (on behalf of March & District Museum)

n May 1945 there was a

Ispontaneous outpouring of happiness at the ending of the Second World War in Europe and to celebrate this victory in March, a children's street party was held in Creek Road on Wednesday evening May 19th, 1945 as reported in the Cambs Times. On the Friday, it was suggested that a further celebratory party for the local menfolk should be organised for the following evening. This was in the form of a street dinner in the road for those that lived between Mr Woodcock's butcher’s shop, on the junction with St. John's Road, through to the junction with New Park. Local ladies, Mrs Blackwell and Mrs Gage were the principal organisers. The meal was local sausages provided by Messrs. C Woodcock, Whittet & Welcher, who also provided the potatoes, with Mrs Lee providing the peas. Contributions of cheese and biscuits were made by several friends and neighbours. Bread was provided by Mrs S Edwards. The all-important

liquid provisions were ginger wine and some very mature rhubarb wine provided by Mrs Lattimore. Mr Blackwell was employed by Mr Greenwood of Ramsey and they contributed nine gallons of beer and contributions towards a further nine gallons were made by the neighbours. About forty men sat down to dine, waited upon by Mrs S Edwards and Miss C Blackwell. After their meal there was sufficient for about thirty ladies to also participate. Afterwards, cigarettes were freely distributed. Some of the menfolk and helpers can be seen in the photograph. Then Messrs. Lee and Overland's barrel organ began to play, and dancing commenced. House curtains were left open and the domestic lights illuminated the scene. People from all over the town were welcomed to join in and soon between three hundred and four hundred people were present. Proceedings closed at midnight with everyone departing in a happy mood – as well they might. Not to be outdone, residents in New Park later held a similar event to welcome home their menfolk from the war.