VE Day celebrations in South Kesteven stretch across Atlantic

A VE Day commemoration in South Kesteven has proved a huge success at home and even spread across the Atlantic to America.
By Andy Hubbert
Published 13th May 2020, 11:44 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

The US military's IX Troop |Carrier Command based in South Kesteven during the war. EMN-200513-114003001The US military's IX Troop |Carrier Command based in South Kesteven during the war. EMN-200513-114003001
The US military's IX Troop |Carrier Command based in South Kesteven during the war. EMN-200513-114003001

Archive film footage of American troops stationed at huge airfields in the district including Barkston Heath during the Second World War was shared as part of South Kesteven District Council’s online campaign encouraging residents to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day safely from their own homes and gardens.

A campaign of social media posts suggested ways to celebrate safely and illustrated a rich local aviation and airborne forces heritage, shared with America’s Commemorative Air Force network and Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun Kelham Cooke, the Leader of SKDC, said: “Our rich heritage is one of the many things within our district of which I am very proud. It is a constant reminder of how much we all owe to that great generation of people.

“We may have had to cancel our street parties and commemorative events, but I am pleased that we still found ways to celebrate and remember VE Day safely and securely from our homes and gardens. Thank you to everyone who shared their celebrations with us online, it’s not the same as seeing people in person, but it was a wonderful way to bring together, virtually, friends and families across South Kesteven.”

Nearly 100 photos showing celebrations, cakes, bunting and flags have been collected in an album entitled ‘VE Day75 – What a Celebration’ which can be viewed on the council’s Facebook site.

The VE Day flag flew outside the council offices in Grantham and residents near Stamford caught sight of the RAF Red Arrows display team on their way to London to mark the national celebration.

All posts on the council’s Twitter and Facebook sites https://twitter.com/southkesteven and https://www.facebook.com/southkdc are still available to view.

Related topics:AmericanFacebook