The announcement that WW2 has ended in Europe was broadcast to the British people over the radio late on 7 May 1945. The BBC interrupted its scheduled programming with a news flash announcing that Victory in Europe Day would be a national holiday, taking place on 8 May.  

Bideford & District Community Archive has reviewed the papers for the weeks covering that period and noted how Bideford and surrounding villages celebrated. The style of writing captured the essence of how people felt:

“Following a week of such tremendous and good news, and in quick succession, so that it has seemed our hearts have been beating faster with expectation for longer than we have ever experienced before, the final and complete capitulation of Germany and her armed forces is hourly expected.” A Dutch ship alongside Bideford Quay, “gaily beflagged” was a “conspicuous centre of rejoicing.”

“Tuesday, May 9^th was the culminating point of the week we shall remember all our lives – and history long after we’re gone. Everywhere in this war, from those in the forefront down to the loneliest Tommy and the most secluded war worker, one has felt that human lives have been weighed in the balance, not as pawns in a strategy, but as units of a controlling hand that has had spiritual and mechanical measure of the opponents….” 

As well as many thanksgiving services, nearly 60 children in Honestone and Silver Streets, and Highfield Place sat down to a magnificent tea; Clovelly celebrated in a ‘quiet manner’; Hartland’s bells rang for two hours; streets in Appledore had impromptu tea parties with Rev Muller visiting most of them; children of Kingsley Terrace in Westward Ho! were given a VE tea; St Peter’s Church in Bideford opened for private prayer; merry peals were rung on the bells at Langtree Church; a thanksgiving service was held in Alverdiscott church; and in Torrington, there was dancing in the streets and fancy dress.

Lighting restrictions for defence purposes were rescinded; evacuees said farewell; and there was a preliminary waiting period before demobilisation began. Mr Churchill resigned his Premiership of the Coalition Government and a General Election would take place 5 July. But, at the same time, families were told that their loved one will not return – amongst others, the deaths of Roy Short, Dick Bond, Albert Youngs, Frederick Griffey, William Westlake, and Hugh Seagrim were reported.