Music and Memories to Mark World War II Milestone at North Wootton Village Hall

A year later than planned, North Wootton Village Hall will be marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II with a free community event.

The VJ Day Celebration takes place on Sunday 15th August with food and drink, live music, wartime memories and photos of the village from the era shared by villagers, 1940s fancy dress, and village fete style games.

North Wootton Village Hall were intending to hold a VE Day Party in May 2020, but sadly this could not happen because of the Covid-19 restrictions that were in place at the time. Instead, the Village Hall encouraged villagers to hold a 'Stay At Home Street Party' to mark the milestone but the Hall’s Event’s Organiser, Antony Lamb, thinks it’s still important to bring people together to remember. He said: “After a long and tough period of lockdowns, restrictions, and cancelled plans, I think now it is more important than ever to bring people together in a celebratory environment. Although the 75th anniversary was last year, we should definitely remember those who sacrificed so much fo us during World War II. We will of course have covid safety measures in place, but we would very much like a street party style atmosphere.”

Deputy Mayor of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Cllr Lesley Bambridge, will be in attendance, and accompanying the local wartime memories will be live music - brass-studded 1930s and 1940s classics from Swervy World, and wartime hits performed by local singer Claire Scollay. Lynn Brewery have been hard at work creating a specially brewed beer for the event -'Dame Vera' - and Vintage Partyware will be providing the village fete games.

Antony continued: “Entrance is free, as is the entertainment, food, and drink - we would very much like this to be a community event for locals to enjoy after the past 18 months. The VJ Day Celebration would not be able to go ahead without the dedication of the Village Hall Management Committee, but also all of the kind support we have received.”

The event is supported by Norfolk Community Foundation through the Norfolk Armed Forces Covenant and the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, as well as North Wootton Parish Council.

Jenny Bevan, Head of Programmes at Norfolk Community Foundation, said: “Norfolk Community Foundation is delighted to support this much needed project that will make a real difference to the community. We wish them every success in their work.”

The VJ Day Celebration takes place 10am - 4pm on Sunday 15th August at North Wootton Village Hall. More information can be found on the Village Hall’s website and on their social media feeds.