SEVENTY-five years ago, on May 8, 1945, Dursley and Wotton joined with people all over the UK and in other countries of the world in marking Victory in Europe Day after six long, hard years of war. 
It was an emotional day that millions of people had been waiting for. Residents rejoiced at the news, but their relief was combined with shock and sadness over the millions who had died in the conflict.
Street parties were held across the district, with neighbours dragging tables and chairs outside into the sunshine and serving up tasty treats, cooked up from pooled food rations.
Bunting was strung overhead and radiograms and gramophones were pulled onto the pavement to provide music to dance to.
Many thanks to Andrew Barton of Dursley Heritage Centre and David Baird of Wotton Heritage Centre for these fascinating VE Day images. 
They show street parties in School Road and Kingshill Park in Dursley, and in Long Street in Wotton. 
There is also one showing a VE Day party for children inside Mawdsley’s, a large electrical engineering manufacturer in Dursley.

And thank you to Barbara Penney for her photo of VE Day in Long Street, Dursley in 1945.

Barbara and her brother, Tony Phillips, are at the front on the left wearing rosettes, and their parents Norman and Gerty are at the front right. “It was a very exciting day,” said Barbara.

“It would be interesting if anybody remembers it.”

Do get in touch if you have memories of VE Day to share, email miranda.airey@localiq.co.uk