VE Day is marked across Sidmouth – looking back at last weekend

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

The ‘make do and mend’ spirit of World War Two came to the fore in Sidmouth as residents celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day within the restrictions of coronavirus lockdown.

The planned street party in the town centre with music and dancing had to be cancelled.

But people marked the anniversary in their front gardens, many with home-made decorations and improvised fancy dress.

Flags and bunting were hung out, and communities came together at a safe social distance.

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Thanks to Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce, people could see a video of Sidmouth’s lone piper, Mark Wightman, playing the traditional tune Battle’s O’er, and a tune specially composed for this year’s anniversary, VE Day 75. The video was posted on the Chamber’s Facebook page, along with an audio recording of Fiona Harvey from Sidmouth Town Band playing The Last Post.

Here are just a few of the many photos people sent in of their VE Day celebrations. We will publish another selection in the paper next week.

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

John Hayes, Royal British Legion standard bearer for Sidmouth, marks VE Day Picture: Margaret Hayes (Image: Archant)

Ralph Hickman of the Sidmouth Royal British Legion salutes the flag in remembrance of VE Day Picture: Hilary San (Image: Archant)

Flags flying for VE Day at Victoria Road, Sidmouth Picture: J. M. Seaton (Image: Archant)

Lydia and Niamh Housden worked hard to make bunting for VE Day Picture: Claire Housden (Image: Archant)

Flags flying high at Howarth Close for VE Day Picture: Claire Housden (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Fleming Avenue, Sidmouth Picture: Alexa Baker (Image: Archant)

Flags flying high at Howarth Close for VE Day Picture: Claire Housden (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Fleming Avenue, Sidmouth Picture: Alexa Baker (Image: Archant)

Flags flying high at Howarth Close for VE Day Picture: Claire Housden (Image: Archant)

Lydia and Niamh Housden worked hard to make bunting for VE Day Picture: Claire Housden (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Fleming Avenue, Sidmouth Picture: Alexa Baker (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Fleming Avenue, Sidmouth Picture: Alexa Baker (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Fleming Avenue, Sidmouth Picture: Alexa Baker (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Fleming Avenue, Sidmouth Picture: Alexa Baker (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Fleming Avenue, Sidmouth Picture: Alexa Baker (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Fleming Avenue, Sidmouth Picture: Alexa Baker (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Fleming Avenue, Sidmouth Picture: Alexa Baker (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Fleming Avenue, Sidmouth Picture: Alexa Baker (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Fleming Avenue, Sidmouth Picture: Alexa Baker (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Fleming Avenue, Sidmouth Picture: Alexa Baker (Image: Archant)

VE Day tea party at Andrew Close, Sidmouth Picture: Virginia Graves (Image: Archant)

VE Day tea party at Andrew Close, Sidmouth Picture: Virginia Graves (Image: Archant)

VE Day tea party at Andrew Close, Sidmouth Picture: Virginia Graves (Image: Archant)

VE Day tea party at Andrew Close, Sidmouth Picture: Virginia Graves (Image: Archant)

VE Day tea party at Andrew Close, Sidmouth Picture: Virginia Graves (Image: Archant)

VE Day tea party at Andrew Close, Sidmouth Picture: Virginia Graves (Image: Archant)

Marking VE Day at Higher Woolbrook Park, Sidmouth Picture: Tracey Lowe (Image: Archant)

Marking VE Day at Higher Woolbrook Park, Sidmouth Picture: Tracey Lowe (Image: Archant)

Marking VE Day at Higher Woolbrook Park, Sidmouth Picture: Tracey Lowe (Image: Archant)

Marking VE Day at Higher Woolbrook Park, Sidmouth Picture: Tracey Lowe (Image: Archant)

Marking VE Day at Higher Woolbrook Park, Sidmouth Picture: Tracey Lowe (Image: Archant)

Marking VE Day at Higher Woolbrook Park, Sidmouth Picture: Tracey Lowe (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth VE Day celebrations Picture: Sarah Hall Photography (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Balfour Gardens Picture: Francine Hayes (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Balfour Gardens Picture: Francine Hayes (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Balfour Gardens Picture: Francine Hayes (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Balfour Gardens Picture: Francine Hayes (Image: Archant)

VE Day celebrations at Balfour Gardens Picture: Francine Hayes (Image: Archant)

VE Day street party at Otter Reach in Newton Poppleford Picture: Sharon Ward (Image: Archant)

VE Day street party at Otter Reach in Newton Poppleford Picture: Sharon Ward (Image: Archant)

VE Day street party at Otter Reach in Newton Poppleford Picture: Sharon Ward (Image: Archant)

VE Day street party at Otter Reach in Newton Poppleford Picture: Sharon Ward (Image: Archant)

VE Day street party at Otter Reach in Newton Poppleford Picture: Sharon Ward (Image: Archant)

VE Day street party at Otter Reach in Newton Poppleford Picture: Sharon Ward (Image: Archant)

VE Day street party at Otter Reach in Newton Poppleford Picture: Sharon Ward (Image: Archant)

VE Day street party at Otter Reach in Newton Poppleford Picture: Sharon Ward (Image: Archant)

VE Day street party at Otter Reach in Newton Poppleford Picture: Sharon Ward (Image: Archant)

VE Day street party at Otter Reach in Newton Poppleford Picture: Sharon Ward (Image: Archant)

A spread for VE Day in Exeter Road, Newton Poppleford Picture: Tricia Barclay (Image: Archant)

Sylvia Brownlee, Chuffy Jenkins and Heather Bewick dress up for VE Day anniversary Picture: Shirley Smith (Image: Archant)

Beryl Jewes and Margaret Jewes enjoying some party food for VE Day celebrations Picture: Heather Bewick (Image: Archant)

Lyndsey, winner of best VE Day hat Picture: Heather Bewick (Image: Archant)

Her Majesty chats to Lynden Webb On VE Day Picture Andy Webb (Image: Archant)

Her Majesty visits Drew’s in Sidbury on VE Day Picture Andy Webb (Image: Archant)